Leadership Excellence

Observed neightbors going through the ritual of decorating their homes for the Christmas Holidays. The process seems so ritualistic with each family member focused on their particular area of responsibility.

Thinking that this is another way to describe " tradition". And yes, there is a pride, a sense of excellence with each participant.

Decide to put this in my tool box of leadership coachng skills -- the value of continuing traditions in the workplace.

Isolation : A carcinoma on the management team

Went to church today and heard a sermon about isolation: physical isolation: how we decide not to interface with people becasue we don't have time, or accomodations, or dislike the other person: and how we remove ourselves from others.

This got me to reflecting about some of the isolationistic ( is there such a word?) executives I've coached over the years.  There is information isolationists... those who don't share the firm's economic data with employees.  Employees who are nervous and jittery and whose performance is impacted because of what they see and hear on TV, or blogs, or twitter .. Yet executives maintain that production workers aren't capable of understanding economic indicators and data.  Such a fallacy.

Second is the executive who hides in their office... composes emails and memos.  Comes ealry : stays late: and fears, yes fears, the concept of management by walking around: Fears that he/she will get emotionally involved with an employee:  Fears employees will ask a question to which he doesn't know the answer.  Fears they will find out who he is as a person.

These isolation examples permeate the organization:  Communication breakdowns, customer service issues, errors going unreported: you get the picture.

Words really matter

Listen to Jim Leher interview  Attorney General Eric Holder.  The AG described the upcoming trials of the 911 planners as the "crime of the century".  Later David Brooks took issue with the term crimes --saying the 911 attacks were terrorism - an act of war.  

 A decision was therefore made to hold the trials in a public rather than a military court.  

How is this relevant to the subject of leadership?  The selection of a phrase or word communicates volumes.  I have a friend who is the CEO of the nation's largest manufacturer of a product in the agri business field.  He constantly refers to himself as a good old farm boy.  So true given his customer base.  But in a negotiating session the homespun nature quickly dissipates.  He is also a multimillionaire with an MBA from a prestigious university.   To motivate his staff, he uses calculated phraseology with a sophisticated, yet practical knowledge of the lean manufacturing process and his customers.

Words.. just words.. The ability to harness the power of words in each specific environment is what has made this simple country boy a world class business man.

So what is your problem?

The ddynamic successful CEO called and asked to chat about "leadership issues" within his firm.  Yes indeed, I thought, well within my area of expertise, this should be an interesting meeting and hopefully an ongoing consulting engagement.

 taking the obligatory facility tour, continuing emphasis was placed on the merits of each employee.  The strength of the leadership team: the well honed team concept.. And so I waited.  What indeed were the aforementioned " leadership issues".  Eventually, on the edge of my proverbial seat, I inquired.  Oh no, said the CEO, let's go into my office.   The point of concern was not with employees, or the leadership team, or team leaders.

The point of concern is with the CEO and his managing partner. The request was to help them through coaching to resolve management style, strategic planning, and exit strategy issues.

 Bamm! Once again I was struck by not giving in to the obvious... To listen: To be patient.