What Thing Are You Going To Do Today?

Karla Nelson, Principal at Swiss Avenue Partners and founder of SBEIA (Small Business Economic Impact Alliance) sent me a follow-up note after a recent meeting, and on the back of the note was one of the most high-impact quotes I've ever read by Paulo Coelho.  Cuelho is a popular writer most noted for The Alchemist.

"One day you'll wake up and there won't be any more time to do the things you've always wanted.  Do it now."      -Paulo Cuelho-

What thing are you going to do today?

Driving the Message

Assuming that your top management team is meeting weekly or monthly, the next key to driving communication and messaging throughout your company is to meet with your "extended management" team at least quarterly. Here is where you share safety issues, financial performance, and progress against objectives.  This is all part of the "rhythm" required to make a company run at it's best.

Do You Have a "Dream Team?"

It's sometimes called a network, personal board of advisers, or mastermind group.  But I like this definition from Patti Johnson taken from the Success Magazine Blog site:  The Six People You Need on Your Dream Team.

1. The Pro
2. The Encourager
3. The Innovator
4. The Challenger
5. The Connector

Ooops, where's the 6th?

I'ts you.  But for most of us, we try everything as a solo-act.  Read the article and find the five people who will help you get where you want to go.

Level 5 Leadership

In Good to Great, Jim Collins described Level 5 Leadership as "building enduring greatness through a blend of personal humility and professional will."  The ego needs of the leader are shifted away from herself and onto the greater good of the company.  This isn't to say the ego isn't present--it is, but the focus is on that of the organization--not the leader.

The "leader as a celebrity" is an image most of us are familiar with--but Collins suggests that there is a strong correlation between lower key, hands-on leadership and enduring success.

Where do you stand?

Right People, Opportunity, and Compensation

"If you pick the right people and give them the opportunity to spread their wings—and put compensation as a carrier behind it—you almost don't have to manage them."               --Jack Welch--


I'd add that this means giving your people the tools and target, getting out of their way, and clearly showing the rewards for winning.

Who Are You?

Are you the person you want your people to be?

And if you aren't, how can you expect them to be?

All great leadership begins with modeling.  Setting the example.  Being the person you want your own people to be.

As a matter of fact, the laws of nature prevent anything other than this from being true.

1. The law of the mirror states that what you give--you get back. And what you see--is what you are.
2. Who you are has a great deal to do with who you attract into your life, business, and relationships.
3. Like attracts like.  Great people attract great people.  Positive people attract positive people.

Positive begets positive. 

Thematic vs. Hands-On Leadership

A manager can provide thematic leadership when on the command deck while the crew mans the guns and gets the work done.  But that same manager also needs to be able to and willing to role up his sleeves to do the work when needed.

The troops need leadership, and they also need to know their leader would join along side them if needed.

It reminds me of the story about the battle leader who proclaimed he could win over his opponent and that his army would do anything for him, because he knew they were each ready to give their life for him.

The battle leader's opponent knew different.  "It is my troops that are unstoppable, because each of them know I am willing to give my life for them.