Archive for September, 2006

I recently had a conversation with a client who worked for Ross Perot during the early days of EDS. He had a major responsibility – talent recruitment. My first question was, “Tell me about Ross Perot.”

His answer, “I have never worked for a more effective leader. He had the gift of inspiring people to want to join a start-up company for less pay and benefits than they could receive from other companies. People were fiercely loyal to our organization and would push themselves to levels of exhaustion to accomplish our mission.”

I next inquired as to how Ross Perot created this powerful sense of teamwork and loyalty. His response: “All prospective team members met with Ross prior to being offered employment. He asked each individual the following question, ‘What are your beliefs?’ Many responded, ‘that’s personal’ to which Ross answered, ‘I know, now tell me about your beliefs.’ The hiring decision was based primarily on how people responded to the question, as Ross wanted to uncover the core values (the heart versus the head) that guided people. If the answers related to position or power, these folks were not hired, as Ross Perot wanted team members who were committed to lasting values such faith, family, and impeccable integrity. In short, we wanted employees who were committed to serving each other.”

This conversation reinforces the following seven steps that are essential if you want to build a winning, passionately engaged team…

• Step One – Hire the right leaders

• Step Two – Hire the right people

• Step Three – Establish the right values.

• Step Four – The right behavior. This is the result of people living the right values such as treating each other with dignity and respect.

• Step Five – The right environment. The right people living the right values create the right environment that people want to join.

• Step Six – The right relationships. The right people living the right values in the right environment build the right relationships. The result is trust and loyalty – the foundations of all winning teams.

• Step Seven – The right results. When organizations follow the previous six steps they will ultimately build passionately engaged teams that dominate their field, whether it be academic, athletic, or business.

What are your beliefs? What do you really stand for?

And remember, it’s all about the relationship.

Leaders can’t change others, but they can influence. The most effective way to influence is through actions, not words.

Others change by taking C.A.R.E. of self…

Choices they make
Attitudes they take
Responsibilities they accept
Excellence in all thoughts, words, and actions

“The quality of one’s life is a direct reflection of their individual commitment to excellence.”

“One’s life is changed as their habits change. Bad habits are like submarines – they run deep, are silent and often deadly. Insanity is continuing the same habits and expecting different results. Good habits are the open door to prosperity.”

And remember, it’s all about the relationship.

I pledge allegiance to the dollar of the United States of America and to the power for which it stands, one nation under Man, with greed and arrogance for all.

The above was originally written to honor the integrity of those courageous executives at Enron who had the vision to steal the hopes and dreams of their employees, all in the sake of greed and arrogance. In our “me” focused society, we too often forget the importance of compassion and focus on self far too often, forgetting our primary responsibility of serving mankind. Following are words that all Americans should read and contemplate:

“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” – Thomas Paine

In closing, I would like to share some thoughts for you to reflect – and act – upon…

“Integrity is a choice. It is consistently choosing the purity of truth over popularity.”

“If we don’t stand for what’s right, we will be consumed by what’s wrong.”

“Success at the expense of faith and family is really failure.”

“What is popular is not always right and what is right is not always popular.”

“The truth may sometimes hurt, but it will always help.”

And remember, it’s all about the relationship.

“Managers hold on, leaders let go.”

I had the opportunity to meet Roy Williams, currently Head Basketball Coach of the 2005 National Champion North Carolina Tar Heels, when he was Head Coach at the University of Kansas. We met on the putting green at the Alvamar Golf Course in Lawrence, Kansas. I wasn’t about to miss this opportunity to learn from one of the most successful coaches in college basketball and asked him the following question, “Coach Williams, what do you feel are the keys to building championship teams?” His answer was simple yet profound…

“Byrd, I feel that there are two keys to building championship teams. Number one, you must have fun. If you don’t really enjoy the game and only focus on winning, you won’t sustain long-term success. The second key is that the players must be given the freedom to play the game. Yes, we have designed plays that we practice to perfection and we don’t tolerate selfish attitudes, but the players must have the confidence and freedom to go for the basket or take the open shot when such opportunities arise. If players aren’t confident to take risks, they will never perform to their full potential.”

Fun & Freedom - Pretty sound principles from one of the best coaches in the game of basketball. Is your team having fun and are they given the freedom to perform to their full potential? If not, it’s never too late to make the needed changes.

And remember, it’s all about the relationship.

I know that many of you - like me - struggle (it’s ok to admit it!) to keep our priorities in order. We know that a balanced life is lived via the following order – faith, family, friends, work – but we find it very difficult to live such a disciplined life. The demands of work tend to crowd out the more nourishing aspects of our life, often leaving to discouragement and stress.

The single most important key is DISCIPLINE. To change our life from chaos and confusion to peace and harmony, we must first take personal responsibility to change the bad habits that are keeping us from living lives of meaning and purpose. One of my favorite quotes is, “Success at the expense of faith and family is really failure.” Where we spend our time and money (work, golf, hunting, church, family time, etc.) is a direct reflection of our priorities. Men, have you ever considered what is important to your wife? What about your children? I surprised my wife recently with a trip to Las Vegas to see Celine Dion perform. I like Celine’s music, but Jeanne loves her and her music. I will never forget the joy that my wife experienced after that night’s performance. The old Byrd Baggett would have considered this trip a real sacrifice, as I used to be totally wrapped up in self and work. Since I have made the conscious decision to get out of self and into others, my life has far more purpose and meaning.

Another critical need is that of solitude. Far too many are caught in the “hairball of life.” I have found that creativity is most often found in the silence of solitude and that precious few understand the power of these words – “Be still and listen.” Many find solitude difficult, as they don’t like whom they’re with when they are alone. This is an even more important reason to seek the balance that leads to personal peace. On a business trip to the Northwest several years ago, I took advantage of a long weekend to spend several days in a secluded cabin in British Columbia. There were no technological distractions - no phone, television, or computer - and I spent the days cleaning the cobwebs out of my soul. The product of this weekend of peace and solitude was the idea for my newest book, The Past Doesn’t Have a Future But You Do. Creativity and peace are found in the silence of solitude!

A few words for leaders…

Balance is critical to peak performance. It is imperative that your associates lead balanced lives to achieve your team’s full potential. When people are sacrificing on the home front, their performance at work will ultimately suffer. Are you creating an environment that encourages balance?

And remember, it’s all about the relationship.

Leading edge businesses foster the following values to create the right environment that gets and keeps the best employees…

• An environment of Opportunity

• An environment of Trust

• An environment of Respect

• An environment of Appreciation

• An environment of Accountability

• An environment of Excellence

• An environment of Enthusiasm

• An environment of Fun

• An environment of open and honest Communication

• An environment of Compassion

A few closing thoughts to ponder…
Do people understand you?
Do people trust you?
Do people know that you care?

And remember, it’s all about the relationship.