Building on Jim’s awesome thoughts about the CEO’s five keys let me, if you will, “and one.”
CEO’s and every other leader for that matter, in the end, are only as good as their team. Remember, every leader gets exactly the team he or she deserves. Most leaders are represented by a team that, according to Gallup, has something less than a third of its people “pulling with a purpose.” Translation:
Less than a third of your team wants to pull.
Period.
That leaves two thirds either doing nothing, pulling when they’re pushed, or pulling in the opposite direction. Not good. Most leaders think that their team is the exception. Some are. Most, are NOT. The factors are numerous that cause such a lack of pull power. But here’s one that every CEO can control. We love CONTROL, don’t we. Here it is. Do NOT miss this.
Try controlling your temper.
Most associates, it turns out, actually want to pull. People, amazingly want to be involved with work that matters and that has personal and collective meaning. People are just too afraid to tell the power holder the truth. You see, most people are very, very afraid. They don’t run around advertising it and, in fact, often hide it behind some bad ass attitudes and some very well disguised false bravado. But it’s there.
Every time the CEO blows a gasket, every time the CEO’s body language communicates disgust, every time the CEO “stonewalls” those that are trying to penetrate his fortress, the system broadcasts an alert.
Everybody ducks.
When we duck and head for cover, so do our ideas, so does our creativity, and breakthrough initiatives, well, they just go BROKE.
Try controlling your temper, Mr. BIG. Your team is exactly the one you deserve. Want a better team? Become a better leader. Come alongside your team and help them pull. Pull them up and show them your belief. Your belief in your vision. Your belief in your purpose. Your belief in your process. AND, most of all, your belief in them.
Yea, baby…
BUILT TO LEAD 