I have been very lucky to have worked with and for some people that were excellent leaders. I have also been fortunate to have people work for me that made me look like a good leader. And from those experiences, there are some things I learned...
- From Nick, I learned that no job is below the boss...
Twice each year, we cleaned the toilets... no, not the regular cleaning, that happened twice a day... I mean pulled them off of the floor, took them out back and scrubbed EVERY part of them. They were as new. The owner of the skating rink asked for volunteers... and he was out there with us. There was NO job in that rink he hadn't done, could still do, and wouldn't do in order to keep it running smooth. He didn't lead from the rear, he led from the front. And he never expected something from his employees that he didn't expect from himself...
- From Chipp, I learned that quality doesn't fear competition...
I was his photo assistant. Other photographers I worked with weren't likely to talk up their assistants as photographers. Chipp had no problem talking about my skills in a VERY complimentary way... to art directors that could hire me. I asked him about it one day... "If they can get you to shoot the job, maybe they really don't need me. They already know I am good..." It wasn't boasting... and I learned a LOT from Chipp... but the biggest thing I learned is that I wouldn't look better by tearing down my staff.
- From Vickie, I learned that if it is wrong, it is MY fault, if it is right, it is my staff...
Spread the good, contain the bad. She always gave credit to those that worked for her when everything went well. When there were issues, she took the brunt. Her staff was loyal... VERY loyal. And the higher-ups always saw that she seemed stronger because all of her stores supported her... no hidden agendas. But again, she led from the front, and she built up those around her.
- From my store staffs, I learned that holding people accountable makes them accountable...
When I gave people tasks, gave them timetables and held them accountable for the results, seldom was i disappointed with the results. I DID have to learn how to let go of micromanagement (let my staff do things the way they wanted as long as the results were correct) and how to delegate. Knowing how to do it all, and leading from the front doesn't mean doing it all...
- From my store staffs, I learned compassion has a place... and it isn't always at the top...
It is tough to have a group of people responsible TO you... and when they are responsible to you, you are also responsible to them. Sometimes that means making hard decisions. It might mean firing someone that you don't want to fire... or helping someone that you don't want to help. But it requires consistency. You can't fire one person for an infraction that doesn't blip someone else.
But there are a few things I also learned...
- Leadership is not doing what is popular all of the time...
Leaders have to make tough decisions and do what is right, not what is popular. It can be popular to do what is right, but often the right path is not readily apparent.
- Leadership requires an internal compass...
It comes down to vision. Leaders need vision. And that needs to go beyond talking about something to actually doing something about it. It is fine to "stay on message" but the message needs to be consistent over time. As the popular saying goes, Those that don't stand for something will fall for anything.
- A leader doesn't need a focus group...
Focus groups are great manage public perception... but that isn't what a true leader should be trying to do. Tweaking policy or altering the vision to play better with the public is a sign of weakness, not strength. Sure, it can make one more popular... but it shows that popularity is more important that direction and vision.
As I look at the political landscape...
I see a bunch of politicians that think leadership is doing what the most people want. I see focus groups being more important than solutions to issues... "If it sounds good, it must be a better solution" is NOT what a leader says... Leaders expect to be contreversial... They are in the lead, not following the general public.
Unless otherwise noted, all content of this blog is the property of Lane Bailey, ©2012 Lane Bailey.
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