Complete the following exercise.
Think back over the past 30 days. Make a list of the instances in which people did not do what they told you they would do. This may occur in a multitude of disciplines and realms. However, it occurs frequently in Customer Service venues. If you fly, the airlines, all of them, provide an endless supply of such events.
By now you are asking, 'What is the purpose of this exercise? Glad you asked.
James Kouzes and Barry Posner are the co-authors of The Leadership Challenge. This is an anthology published three times over a period of twenty-four years. They ask respondents from 85 cultures around the globe to rank order a list of important leadership characteristics. Mind you, that is a very significant and very diverse control group. The responses have Validity & Reliability. That is called The Truth as perceived by the respondents!
Each and every time this survey has been conducted the same issue surfaces as the #1 expectation on the part of people when they consider leaders - - DO WHAT YOU SAY YOU WILL DO!!
Now go back to that list you created. Compare your list to this principle. It is tragically rare in the American culture when people follow through. There are instances when the failure to deliver is not the culpability of the one who made the commitment. However, it remains their responsibility. The proper response is deliver or provide an honest and timely rationale for the failure and a revised target date for correcting the failure. Caution - don't hold your breath while waiting for this to happen.
All people, mothers, fathers, vendors and most assuredly people in leadership roles MUST honor this principle. It is simple (not always easy but simple) and so vital.
The result? This is so rare that you will be regarded as one who delivers what you promise with excellence. You will be held in high esteem. Most importantly, you will honor the biblical principle of 'let your yes be yes' (James 5:12). That matters!
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Lemmings & Leaders
Are you a Lemming or a Leader?
Lemming - A member of a crowd with no originality or voice of his own. One who speaks or repeats only what he has been told. A tool. A cretin.
(www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=lemming)
Leader - One who takes initiative, sets direction, makes decisions that lead to effective personal and corporate fulfillment of purpose.
Fred Smith was a Christian Business man who started the enormously successful FEDEX. When he was considering hiring a man for a key role in that business he would say, 'Lets go to lunch, you drive.'
If on that trip the prospective hire simply followed the crowd, got in line, waited at all the traffic lights like all the other drivers, his opportunity for employment ended right then.
On the other hand, if he actively sought an alternative route that did not require wasting time in lines of traffic, he was accorded the next step in the selection process. He may or may not get the job but he at least put himself in the running.
The Application - Leaders get things done. They are focused on an objective and they take steps to achieve that in the most ethical and expeditious manner. They do not follow the crowd. They are not 'aggressive', which is often abusive and rude. They are 'assertive', which means they almost always choose a path that is economic (time) and effective (accomplishes a specific objective).
Are you a Lemming or a Leader?
Lemming - A member of a crowd with no originality or voice of his own. One who speaks or repeats only what he has been told. A tool. A cretin.
(www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=lemming)
Leader - One who takes initiative, sets direction, makes decisions that lead to effective personal and corporate fulfillment of purpose.
Fred Smith was a Christian Business man who started the enormously successful FEDEX. When he was considering hiring a man for a key role in that business he would say, 'Lets go to lunch, you drive.'
If on that trip the prospective hire simply followed the crowd, got in line, waited at all the traffic lights like all the other drivers, his opportunity for employment ended right then.
On the other hand, if he actively sought an alternative route that did not require wasting time in lines of traffic, he was accorded the next step in the selection process. He may or may not get the job but he at least put himself in the running.
The Application - Leaders get things done. They are focused on an objective and they take steps to achieve that in the most ethical and expeditious manner. They do not follow the crowd. They are not 'aggressive', which is often abusive and rude. They are 'assertive', which means they almost always choose a path that is economic (time) and effective (accomplishes a specific objective).
Are you a Lemming or a Leader?
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