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See the Gaps and Act
“You’re not here to do just what you’re told,” she says. “You’re here to see gaps and act upon them.” With that Kirthiga Reddy, Director of Online Operations for Facebook India has led user growth from 8 to 71 million over two years. This thinking is a drastic departure form the traditional hierarchical structure that prevails in India. Ms. Reddy is one of the most creative people in the world according to the current issue of Fast Company. Her leadership principle is elegant in simplicity and profound...
Full Page viewBlack cat
“A black cat crossing your path, signifies that the animal is going somewhere.” Groucho Marx To some people a black cat crossing their path carries a similar outcome to breaking a mirror. Superstitions are illogical. People do, however, knock on wood. Superstitions in the modern-day are generally harmless. We don’t burn witches any more. Giving inaccurate meaning to observations, however, is unfortunately not uncommon and not harmless. Decide that Mary is a superstar or that Joe is a bum and the tendency is only to see that...
Full Page viewConsciously keep good people
Retaining and rewarding employees is the top 2012 priority for business. This according to 60% of respondents to the annual HR magazine survey of senior HR leaders. The second priority at 52% is developing the next generation of leaders. Not much reading between the lines here to see the concern for who will run the railroad tomorrow and the next day, year, decade. “My people are just happy to have a job,” has outlived its shelf-life. Unemployment rates for professionals and skilled trades people are not what is in the...
Full Page viewCan you afford 85% of executives afraid to speak -up.
Raising a child as a critical thinker, to question and stand-up to authority is no small task. We leaders mostly say we want such people on our team. Like parents,our words and actions don’t always align Do you depend on your team to prove you wrong? Can you hear the messenger with the message you do not want to hear? In this excellent TED talk (12 minutes) Margaret Heffernan: Dare to Disagree, notes that in a survey of American and European executives, 85% had issues or concerns at work that they were afraid to raise. Your team...
Full Page viewThere is a problem, percolating
Problems and procrastination tend to go together pretty well. Particularly if the problem is not too big – yet, and has some factors that make for difficult interpersonal dynamics. It is easy to let it slide, to get to it later. Then later becomes even later. While later is becoming even later, the issue escalates. More people get involved. The situation grows way out of proportion. Tempers flare. Now your choice about dealing with it is gone. The opportunity to deal with it on your terms, in your time is gone. There is absolutely no...
Full Page viewKeep the good and add womens boots
WESCO (Westcoast Shoe Company) in Scappose, Oregon was the starting point for our Fall 2012 Northwest Motorcycle tour. WESCO has been in business in Oregon for 94 years and four generations of family leadership. “We built our reputation on leather and trust.” The company began in the logging camps of the Northwest where founders measured feet and made custom boots for loggers. They built a legacy by building tough, comfortable boots for working men – loggers, railroad engineers, linemen. There are 155 steps from leather to...
Full Page viewLogical Decisions and Janitors
The admin offices and restrooms are never completely clean. The normal course of action is a discussion or two with the janitorial service. Service doesn’t improve, the janitorial company disappears and another shows up. The cycle starts anew. It is a challenge for me to recommend firing the janitors as my first business was a janitorial route at sixteen years old. Yet even then, I wondered why people did not clean up after themselves. People on the manufacturing floor keep the manufacturing floor and their work areas clean and...
Full Page viewOn-the Road…Buck Knives US 1
A visit to Buck Knives US 1 is the result of an idea that emerged a while back. Given my years in manufacturing, I enjoy seeing businesses that manufacture interesting products. I also like motorcycle touring. Pal Dave and I merged the two passions and begin visiting businesses that manufacture unique US products. We did so in the final fall 2012 Northwest tour that began in Portland, OR and included Idaho and the Selkirk Loop in Canada. US manufacturing has taken a big hit in the last decade. Some businesses have endured and even...
Full Page viewThe Animals were right
Quality of relationships remain a currency of leadership success and overall happiness in life. Song lyrics take on different meaning at different stages of life. They also frequently lend an understanding to life and leadership. A good example lives on in the history of Eric Burdon and the Animals, a personal favorite. “I’m just a soul whose intentions are good, oh lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood.” Good intentions are a starting point and we know ourselves by our intentions. More important, however, is...
Full Page viewBig 5 for Leaders Success
There are times when a controlling style of leadership is appropriate. An emergency when the person with the knowledge and capacity to solve it takes charge is a good example. We understand that and do what we’re told by that person in the heat of the emergency – if we have confidence in the person who has taken charge. A good business example is the turn-around of a business that is in serious trouble. Details are essential. The person in-charge knows what must be done and how to do it. A firm hand on the controls in such a...
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