Four “Must Haves” to Earn a Successful Organization

There must be a strong leader AND pervasive leadership.

Charisma is not leadership, although it can act as a helpful tool to quickly gain the acceptance of an audience. Effective leaders share a passion for and a record of accomplishments. Strong leadership is demonstrated daily by a person or a group of people who are honest, forthright, markedly visible and approachable. They fulfill their need to be out in the field regularly. If not actually walking on the frontlines then they talk with people who work there, both in “town hall” meetings and in one to one settings. They remember that just as the shepherd is there for the benefit of the flock, leadership is there to serve the people.

The organization must have a repeatable compelling vision and sense of purpose.

If possible it should be a clear and concise singular vision. Every activity that the organization tackles must be able to foster a closer linkage to that compelling vision. It must be memorable and repeatable so that every message, action and strategy supports the purpose with their obvious connections. The clarity of the vision should be worded and marketed in a way that others can understand it, support it, be excited by it, be growing some passion around it, and be inventive in discovering other ways to achieve that purpose.

There must be a sense of overwhelming optimism.

The compelling vision is not only the day to day here’s what we need to do and why, but the over arching here is our place on earth, here’s our legacy, here’s the good that we wish to do. Living that is what creates a legacy. Knowing that is what helps create positivism. That positive approach has to be all encompassing. Tolerance of rampant apathy or negativism is a weakness. If optimism is not visible in practice, alarms should sound and priority given to overcoming whatever the obstruction may be. This does not forego the crucial role of devils advocate and challenging viewpoints -- but to leave negative feelings or remarks unchecked, even in the simplest day-to-day transactions, is to enable the contagion. Counter the virus with positive encouragement and recognition.

There must be a regular diet of meaningful recognition.

Positive reinforcement, thanks and praise are the nutritional components of a healthy workforce, the helium that lifts the balloon to new heights. It is a currency that many organizations are afraid of spending; yet its value can be limitless. Without it or withholding it until the perfect moment can result in at worst, a bankruptcy of human potential, and at best, leave people with a feeling of emotional deficiency. All people want to do a good job, regardless of which motivations they declare to be driven by; the rewards of learning new experiences, enhancing important relationships or legacy building, people will respond to those who notice what they have already contributed with even greater performance.

Discovering Your Passion for Excellence

Exceptional human achievement fascinates me. Helen Keller, Carl Lewis, Christopher Reeve, Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, the band of Patriots that helped found this great nation, you and me -- all filled with potential. The people mentioned above are recognizable to most, but there are billions of others just like them on this planet, and they all have something in common ... a passion.

We all have a passion for something, whether it is for golf or little league, cooking or writing, acting or reading. Wine connoisseurs and bottle cap collectors abound.

What’s your passion?

Can you see it? Most of you can.

What do you want to do with it? What do you envision? What do you want to accomplish?

Those are harder questions for many. Maybe you’ve got the answers. Now...what are you actually doing? Is there determination in your eyes -- has your pulse quickened?

They say we can’t solve world hunger.
The truth is we can.

They say good things happen to those who wait.
The truth is, the better rewards go to those who make things happen.

They said walking on the moon was a crazy idea.
They were right -- but we did it anyway.

They say, “can’t”,
we say, “can”.

They ask “why?”
we ask, “why not?”

They say, “if only…”
we ask, “what if...?”

They are challenged.
We challenge.

They are the passengers,
and we are the drivers.

Are you are too tired?
Work too hard?
Feel the world has been unfair?
Do you frequently ask, “why me?” with a bovine expression painted across your face?

Sadly, you are not alone. But if you know what you want -- then dream about it -- talk about it, and do it.

Look around. Working alongside of you is one of the most talented people in the entire world. They bring something that no one else does.

Do you know what it is? Find out. Learn from them. Share ideas and dreams, and once you discover what it is, what that special gift they bring to us is -- tell them. Let them know you see it. Because the truth is most of them aren’t even aware of what they have.

Organizations grow, but do they mature?
Are we enlightened enough to know what’s going on -- to understand where we are headed?
To not only find, but also to use the tools needed to build our future?

Some people are already there. They’ve got their sleeves rolled up and they’re lending a hand. These are the people who don’t watch the clock, but they do set the pace.

What about you?
Can you be counted on?
Do your actions match your words?
Are you positive and proactive and professional in everything you say and do?
Do you create problems or do you create solutions?

Ask that person working alongside of you; they’ll tell you.
But what if they tell you something you don’t want to hear?
What if they tell you the truth?
Thank them -- wholeheartedly. Then roll up your sleeves and get to work. Learn more. Take classes; attend workshops. Find a mentor -- be a mentor. Share.

Some of you think -- but I’m too busy or there’s not enough time. Friends, time is the great equalizer. It’s one of the few manmade instruments that are equally distributed in nice, easy to swallow increments.
You can take 24 hours,
or you can take 1,440 minutes,
or 86,400 seconds.
The portion is up to you.

The world provides so many resources and tools to each of us. Naysayers, smirk or gawk if you must. But while you smirk and gawk and make protestations -- the person next to you is learning and growing. They are developing themselves and helping others along the way; and before you know it, they will no longer be sitting beside you, because these types of people don’t sit in one place for long. They know that increased learning leads to increased earning. Not just financial rewards; they earn accolades and respect and satisfaction.

So, do you want to sit or stand? Walk or run? The decision is yours. Reach in, deep inside, and find out what motivates you. Set your goals. What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve. And achieve we must. If you’re tired -- rest. But don’t stay out of the action for too long, because as you rest, others work, and practice, and perfect their dreams. Don’t be left behind.

Be leaders.
Be learners.
Be coaches.
Be students.
Be mentors.
Be mentioned.
Be proud and finally,
be passionate.

How Strong is your Influence?

My wife and I were driving to one of the many birthday parties that have become a part of our weekend life since kids. We began talking about how we struggle a little with the influences various people have on our children.

We have a diverse array of friends, coworkers, neighbors, schoolmates and loved ones we regularly interact with. Naturally, there is also a diverse array of beliefs and values that these people hold, and as most parents will agree, some of what we run into runs counter to what we are trying to teach at home. Although we do not always approve of these exposures, we wouldn't trade them for a narrower view of the world, even though narrower is easier.

My daughter, thankfully, is at the point where she relishes telling us what things she has learned on her adventures away from us, be it at sleepovers, school trips or time with family or a sitter. We cringe whenever she repeats some limiting belief or ignorant outlook on the world others have painted as fact. It may have been delivered to her via course language or less than progressive ideas, or even though questionable actions that go ignored.

It takes effort for us to give her an alternative view and explain how, even though our family is tolerant and accepting of other points of view, we have chosen to live life a particular way and some things we do not accept at home. This could be as straightforward as a violent cartoon show, or more complex like an ignorant slur, or activities such as smoking.
It occurred to my wife and I that we could shelter and limit what we deemed “harmful” exposures, but that would be a disservice. Doing so would only result in sheltered children, who would grow up ill prepared for the challenges of the world. Instead, we agreed, we must equip them with tools to overcome the obstacles they face. Obstacles will always appear; the world is full of challenges. The only requirement is to be stronger than the problem before you. To do that as parents, we need to ensure our influence is stronger than that which our children are exposed. The same is true in all leadership.

Provide the tools, the inspiration and ultimately the trust. You will need to make corrections when those you serve go astray, but more often than not just a slight redirection to the mission or vision is all that’s required. Doing this a little bit, but constantly should help prevent the need for a major, more painful and possibly less successful correction in the future.
Never doubt the influence one human being has on another. For good or bad, help or hindrance, limiting or limitless we are interconnected. Know that in everything you do, you are an influence and act accordingly.

Happy New Year!

The week between Christmas and New Year's Day has evolved into one of my favorite. It is fun to witness how people prepare and react to the changing of the calendar.

There are those who are racing around, try to complete the goals they set many months ago before the turn of the clock. There is usually energy, enthusiasm and excitement about them as they move, ever closer to completion. There are also those, so fully satisfied in the year that they are able to relax with family and friends in the reflective merriment of past achievement and discuss, with wild anticipation, what is to come.

Then there are those who dip a little into both camps. They have begun to remember how far they have traveled in the last twelve months. There is pride in the realization that there has been growth, a sense of better living. Yet, there is a nagging sensation of some work left undone, some challenge unmet. If unchecked, this lack of contentment can creep into the warmth of familial celebration and chill the dawning of a new year. Deferred objectives often become resolutions. Resolutions often have a short life, the vast majority melting away by early spring. These people can take solace in the fact that we do not need the calendar to spur us into action. We have the ability to focus on achieving important goals anytime we wish.

Still, there is a vibe that fills the air this time of year, when it seems everyone is focused on self-improvement and well wishes toward each other. Embrace this global commemoration with the knowledge that there is much good that each of us has done. The experiences of the past year make each of us stronger and better able to meet new challenges, whether they are self imposed or thrust before us. Replace anxiety with anticipation, complexity with simplicity, and confusion with clarity by setting a few goals that help propel you closer to the person you endeavor to become. The world has given you permission to clean the slate and begin anew. Take advantage of it and have a very Happy New Year.

A Christmas Message

It seems an appropriate day to make note of the large number of books that cite the leadership style of Jesus.

Titles like:

Jesus on Leadership, The Leadership Wisdom of Jesus: Practical Lessons for Today, Jesus CEO: Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership, The Management Methods Of Jesus Ancient Wisdom For Modern Business, Jesus, Life Coach: Learn from the Best, Lead Like Jesus: Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time

and others.

Regardless of your belief system, the influence of Jesus cannot be denied. Is what you’re currently working on going to be worthy of quoting over 2000 years from now? As Ken Blanchard has said, “He is simply the greatest leadership role model of all time."

Leadership consultants, pundits and hacks alike can cite all the innovative leadership practices, but I suspect all the new methods have been used before with great affect and greater effectiveness.

As we enter the yearend stretch and begin to reflect, plan and resolve, it may bode everyone well to pick up any of the above books, or The Book and just read a chapter or two. The result undoubtedly would lead us just a tiny bit close to peace on earth and good will toward all man.

Merry Christmas!