Archive for June, 2006

I assist many organizations and associations in their development of leaders and am convinced that the quality of performance attained is a direct reflection of the quality of leadership. I have identified the following four questions that have proven to determine the worthiness of leaders:

1. Are you competent?
2. Do you listen to your conscience?
3. Is your character sound?
4. Do you have compassion for others?

Far too many managers fail the test with a less than stellar score of 25%, earned with a single ‘YES’ to question #1. Research (Working With Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman) has proven that intelligence is not a determining factor in the lives of successful leaders but has proven, if anything, a hindrance. In their pursuit of power and control, these individuals choose to abandon what is right for what is popular. This egotism is truly the ‘PGA’ of the Good Old Boy Network – Power, Greed and Arrogance!

One of my heroes, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, made the following statement of wisdom that best illustrates what is often missing in today’s “bottom-line” business environment - “The softest pillow is a clear conscience.”

Do you pass the test?

The longer I live the more I am convinced that the quality of our lives is a direct reflection of the quality of our thoughts. If you consistently believe that your life will be successful and rewarding, it will be. Conversely, if you think that things will work out poorly, your thoughts will become reality. Following is a parable that illustrates the power of our thoughts…

A man once found an eagle’s egg and put it in the nest of a barnyard hen. The eaglet hatched and grew up with the rest of a brood of chicks, and though he didn’t look at all the same, he scratched the earth for worms and bugs and played the chickens’ games. The eagle clucked and cackled, he made a chicken’s sound, he thrashed his wings but only flew a few feet off the ground. “That’s as high as chickens fly,” the eagle had been told.

The years passed and one day, when the eagle was quite old, he saw something magnificent flying very high, making great majestic circles up there in the sky. He’d never seen the like of it. “Who’s that?” he asked in awe, while he watched in wonder at the grace and power that he saw. “Why, that’s an eagle,” someone said. “He belongs up there it’s clear, just as we, since we are chickens, belong earthbound down here.” The old eagle just accepted that, most everybody does, and he lived and died a chicken, for that’s what he thought he was.

Parable told by Jesuit spiritualist Anthony de Mello

People are starving for authenticity and will follow those leaders who have a positive outlook on life. Following are a few thoughts for your reflection…

• “Worry is crabgrass of the soul.”

• Happiness Formula – Count 5 blessings before you earn the right to one worry.

• Instead of thinking “I have to” think “I get to.”

• “It’s not who we are that determines our future, but who we think we are.”

• “Fear is a dark room where negatives are developed.”

• “If it can’t eat you, don’t worry about it.”

And remember, it’s all about the relationship.

Edging
Greatness
Out

Meekness is not weakness - it’s simply strength under control. Think of the worlds’ most celebrated leaders – Abe Lincoln, Jesus, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr. – and you will understand that humility is the effective leader’s greatest virtue. Great leaders are passionate about their cause but work hard to tame their egos and understand that the cause is greater than self. How’s your ego?

And remember, it’s all about the relationship.

I have discovered the slight edge that takes leadership effectiveness to the next level. It’s so simple that most readers will miss the magic. Following is the leadership edge that will dramatically improve your leadership effectiveness….

Simple acts of daily discipline compounded over time.

If you’re serious about testing this concept, take my 1/24/30 Challenge. Within the next 24 hours, identify one habit that you need to improve upon to become a better leader and work on that habit for the next 30 days. Following are a couple of ideas for your consideration…

• Send one hand-written note of appreciation. People want to feel appreciated!

• Ask versus tell. Advice not asked for is seldom taken. Effective leaders ask the right questions.

• Read ten pages per day from a book on personal development. Only 5% of the professional population read one book per year on personal development.

• Spend 15 minutes per day in solitude. Creativity is most often found in the silence of solitude.

• Exercise 15 minutes per day. If we don’t have our health, we have nothing.

• Reduce daily caloric intake by 80 calories. This one simple act of daily discipline will result in the loss of eight pounds in one year.

And remember, it’s all about the relationships, and relationships take time.

For those who have ever made bad decisions:

1. Stop! Are you so caught up in the hairball of life that you rarely stop to reflect on where you are and what you need to change to improve your life?
2. Ask the right questions from the right people. These questions should be asked of your Personal Board of Directors. Remember, the right people are those who tell you what you need to hear not necessarily what you want to hear.
3. Listen to their answers. Don’t bother asking the questions if you are not willing to listen objectively to their answers, as it would be a waste of time and energy. Capture their answers in writing - don’t rely on your memory.
4. Think about the consequences. Remember that you, and only you, are responsible for your life choices and the consequences of such. By thinking about your choices before making decisions, you are more likely to respond (good!) than react (bad!). When you act before thinking (ready, fire, aim!) you usually make poor decisions.
5. Respond appropriately. As you adhere to this four-step discipline, you will most often make good decisions that lead to a more fulfilling life. An illustration: When you have a follow-up visit to your physician after taking a prescribed medication for a sickness or illness, you receive one of the following diagnoses: “You are reacting (bad news)” or “You are responding (good news).” The previous four steps will help you to respond vs. react as you focus on making the right decisions for your life.

A final thought on decision-making: Never make important decisions when you are tired or angry.

I want to share one of the most powerful examples of improved performance that I have ever witnessed. One of my favorite clients, the CEO of a community bank in the Midwest, called to share some exciting news. The conversation went something like this - “Byrd, I wanted to share some great news with you. Since your visit with our team (eighteen months prior), our asset size has nearly doubled!” He had obviously grabbed my attention and I asked him how his team was able to achieve this phenomenal growth.

“During the session with our management team, you shared the #1 want of our employees - the need to feel appreciated - and mentioned that it wasn’t the big things - pay, benefits, etc. - that make the difference, but the little things done on a consistent basis that would improve employee morale and increase performance and profitability. Well, we decided to implement your “R.A.R.E.” technique - Random Acts of Recognition Everyday, and it really worked!

One recent example is that we announced an ambitious plan to increase branch deposits by 1.7 million dollars over a ninety-day period. We exceeded this goal, achieving an average of three million dollars per branch!” My next question was the obvious, “How did you do that?” His response - “Well, we simply implemented the R.A.R.E. recommendation, paying our staff one dollar per letter sent to existing and prospective customers, thanking them for their business and mentioning our portfolio of financial products. An example of our team’s response is that one member of our accounting department sent 900 personal letters and another administrative employee mailed 500 letters! I received great satisfaction in presenting the $1,400 in rewards.

This positive energy permeated our organization and the results speak for themselves, a true-life example that passionate hearts committed to a shared vision can accomplish the impossible. Needless to say, we are enjoying the best year in the history of our bank! We are a living example of what happens when leadership focuses on hearts and souls, not the bottom line.”

This executive focused on the one thing all organizations have in common - people. He understands that when management takes care of employees, they will take care of the bottom line. This simple act of daily discipline produced profound results. Success is truly high-touch, not high-tech! Are you practicing “R.A.R.E.?”

And remember, it’s all about the relationship.