My Leadership Philosophy

On December 31, 2010 I wrote a post about developing a leadership philosophy.  http://leadershipperspectives.blogspot.com/2010/12/leadership-philosophy.html

In that post I said that I was working on developing my leadership philosophy.  My leadership philosophy is very simple and I am willing to be held accountable to the people I lead in the words I wrote and I believe. Well true to my word here it is:

Tony Friday’s Leadership Philosophy

I have developed this philosophy to help guide me as a leader. I will work to consistently live out these principles.  I expect you to hold me accountable when I fall short. I am committed to helping you to grow, develop and realize your potential both personally and professionally.

Operating Principles

1.       Set the example—What I expect of you, I will expect from myself.  I will not ask you to do anything I would not do.  I expect you to set a positive example for others.

 2.      Coaching for Success—When you need me I will be there for you.  I will not give you the answers, but I will help you through the thinking process.  You have the solutions.

3.       Treat each other like you want to be treated—I will treat you with fairness and respect.  I expect that you do the same to those you work with and lead.

4.       Accountability—I expect you to do what you say.  You can count on me to do the same.  If you are in danger of not delivering on a promise you have made, please let me know as soon as you know.  We can then work together on finding a mutually beneficial solution.

5.       Listen— I do not have all of the answers; I will actively listen to your ideas and your point of view.  We will work together to make our company better.

6.       Communication—I will provide regular feedback that is direct and constructive relative to your needs and the needs of the company.  I want you to do the same for me.

7.       Operating with Candor—I will be candid, not critical in my communication with you.  If you feel my comments are critical, please let me know.

 8.      Shared Risk—We are in this together.  I will not engage in the blame game and I expect the same from you.

 9.       Excellence—I will create a team where we pursue excellence, (not perfection).  I expect you to do your very best every day.  I will not tolerate sloppy work.

10.     Positive Attitude—I will bring a positive attitude every day and I expect you to do the same. Challenges will come, but with the right attitude we can overcome them all. 

11.     Celebrate Wins—We will celebrate our wins, no matter how small.  Little victories are the stepping stones to great accomplishments.  Every day we will play like winners!

Here are a few things that I will not stand for (my hot buttons):

•        Stealing

•        Lying

•        Disrespecting your teammates

•        Sloppy work

My commitment to you:

I will give you my very best every day.  I will continue to learn and grow as a leader. We will have fun!

HOW DID I DO?

Now it’s your turn.  I challenge you to write your leadership philosophy.  It does not have to relate solely to business, it can be your philosophy on how you lead in your home or in your community.  Whatever your philosophy is, be willing to be held accountable for who you say you are as a leader.

I hope you accept the challenge, it will differentiate you from the millions of leaders who are winging it and are not willing to be transparent to the people they lead.

52 Blog Posts!

On March 14 of last year while sitting with my family in Peet’s Coffee in Pleasant Hill, I started my first blog.

http://leadershipperspectives.blogspot.com/2010/03/introducing-leadership-perspectives.html.

I was apprehensive in starting it because, 1) I do not like to write; 2) So many of the blogs I had read either had few posts, or posts were spaced months apart, and 3) the author stopped posting altogether. With that in mind I made the commitment that I would post weekly and write 52 straight blog posts as a challenge to myself.  It is with great joy and a sense of accomplishment that I post BLOG POST #52.

Over this past year I have learned a lot about myself as a leader. I have also learned about my ability to do something that I had never done before, and that is to write.  I am obviously not the best writer, but I continue to grow and develop and I am satisfied with that.  I am also happy with the fact that as a leader, I was able to commit to my readers that I would be here each week, writing about my perspectives on leadership, and to follow through on that commitment.  Believe me it has not been easy, but it has been rewarding knowing that there are people all over the world reading my blog.  I have been encouraged that in some small way I am having a positive impact in the lives of those who choose to read my words.

Right here and now I am making another commitment that I will be here for another 52 posts.  God willing I will continue to share with you my perspective on leadership.  Your comments and encouragement are always appreciated.

Have a Powerful Day!

What is Leadership anyway?

Every day we hear the word leader being bandied about with no real thought as to the effective meaning of the word.  This causes me to think, what defines leadership? What does it do and how does it behave?  During my research for this post, I looked up some definitions of leadership, and although there were similar components to the definitions, they were very different. 

Merriam-Webster gives us a place to start:

1 : the office or position of a leader

2 : capacity to lead

That’s a pretty flat description.  Let’s see if there’s something a little more  3-dimensional that will help:

Here are just a few from Wikipedia:  Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task”. Definitions more inclusive of followers have also emerged. Alan Keith of Genentech states that, "Leadership is ultimately about creating a way for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen." According to Ken "SKC" Ogbonnia, "effective leadership is the ability to successfully integrate and maximize available resources within the internal and external environment for the attainment of organizational or societal goals."

The Business Dictionary defines leadership this way: “In its essence, leadership in an organizational role involves (1) establishing a clear vision, (2) sharing (communicating) that vision with others so that they will follow willingly, (3) providing the information, knowledge, and methods to realize that vision, and (4) coordinating and balancing the conflicting interests of all members or stakeholders.”

So, do any of these definitions answer our questions about what true leadership is?

In the aftermath of the Tucson shootings, President Obama gave a speech about civility in public discourse.  After this speech, his approval numbers improved by 3-4 points.  Commentators attributed the increase to his speech’s leadership tone and Obama acting presidential.  However, subsequent to his speech, the rhetoric and caustic speech continues.  Does the fact that some of his constituents are not listening mean he is not a leader?  Absolutely not!  He remains the “leader of the free world.”

In sports the player with the best skills and the highest contract is often deemed to be a leader.  In politics a leader is one who won the election.  In business we associate leadership with the person who has the title.  You don’t have to look far to find examples of people with leadership roles and titles who are ill-suited to the work of leadership.

Leadership is not only about having a vision for the future and meeting goals, it is fundamentally about a deep set of beliefs that allows the leader to inspire and motivate individuals to achieve their greatest potential.  Does that deep set of beliefs matter?  Or is it all just a matter of having a platform to lead from and employing a certain skillset that is effective in getting people to follow?

Leadership is a complicated concept that is hard to define.  There seem to be a lot of moving parts to leadership.  Maybe this is why there are so many books, tapes, seminars and workshops on the subject.  We are all still trying to figure it out.

As I contemplate the word leadership and its effect on society, it stimulates me to ask you the following questions:

• Are we evaluating leaders by the right criteria?
• Are effective leaders always good leaders?
• Do people always follow good leaders?  

Home Grown Leadership

While sitting in the living room with my family, I got the bright idea to get up at 8:30 pm and go for coffee.  I wanted to catch them off guard by doing something totally random.  The good news was they were all for it.  So off to Starbucks we went.  For most of you that know me, Starbucks is not my favorite coffee shop—I  am a Peet’s Coffee snob.  Be that as it may, both my son and daughter love Starbucks, and because I love them I was willing to sacrifice my taste buds. 

I wanted to take this opportunity to have what I call a leadership forum.  This is a time where I ask my kids questions about leadership decisions that they face every day at school and when hanging out with their friends.

My daughter shared with us that she saw a friend at school who came up to give her a hug.  She said he smelled of what she thought must be marijuana.  When she asked him about it, he reassured her that he didn’t smoke it.  Then he calmly told her, “I just sell it.”  She was aghast and asked him why.  He said “because I need the money.”  She challenged him on his decision and he just turned and walked away.

This may not seem like a big deal to some, but her choice not to engage further with him or to give in to the pressure to smoke the drug sets her up to be the leader I know she can be. 

The youth of today are under tremendous pressure to follow the crowd.  We often discuss the importance of taking a stand for what you believe in.  We also prepare them for the possibility that their good decisions not to engage in drugs, alcohol and sex may lead to ridicule and rejection by their peers.  Doing the right thing may be costly, but not as costly as going along with the crowd.    

In my opinion, the role of leader in the home has been taken for granted.   Leading in the home is not about barking out orders.  It’s about providing love, support and behavior modeling to our children and to prepare them to make good decisions in life. 

How are you leading your family?  Is it time for you to hold a leadership forum?

Leadership Philosophy

“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” – Stephen Covey

Have you ever had a boss who asked you to oversee a project or perform a task without giving you much, if any, information on what they wanted?  How about a boss you thought would respond a certain way to a given situation, but they caught you off guard and responded totally differently to what you expected?   Did you enjoy working for them?  Do you know what their leadership philosophy is?   I would guess not.  However, you could probably make an educated guess as to what it is based on how you were treated.

How about you?  Do you have a leadership philosophy? Have you even thought about a leadership philosophy? Until recently, I had never really thought about it.  I knew what I believed about leadership and the values that I subscribed to, but it was never written down.  A business coach that worked with me while at Owens Corning sent me a book titled the The Leader's Compass published by Academy Leadership. It's probably one of the best books I have read on leadership.  It focused on the development of a leader’s personal leadership philosophy and is told in the form of a story.

After reading the book, I was motivated to sit down and write my leadership philosophy.  Why is a leadership philosophy important?  A well written philosophy gives you clarity on what you stand for as a leader.  It will also bring consistency to your leadership that your team can trust. Your leadership philosophy affects your behavior and ultimately your leadership effectiveness. 

In developing your leadership philosophy it should describe these key beliefs:

• What do I believe about people and about life?
• What are the principles by which I will operate as a leader?
• What are do you believe about groups that make organizations effective?

Drafting your philosophy will require time and considerable thought, but once it has been developed it will serve as your road map to your success as a leader. Everything you do will be filtered through you philosophy, so be honest with yourself.  Don't write it if you don't believe it.

Your philosophy should consist of the following:

• Your purpose: Why are you here?  What are you most passionate about?
• Your vision: Where are you going and how are you going to get there?
• Your values/principles:  What do you believe in.  A set of guiding principles which influence the way you live and lead.

One last important thing, your philosophy should be published and shared with your team.  It is amazing that so many leaders will not develop or publish their philosophy because they do not want to be held accountable for living by it.

I challenge you to be a different kind of leader, one that is willing to be held strictly accountable and will not compromise on the things you say you believe in.

There is Iron in your Words

A promise kept is invaluable to the person to which it was made.

In the Clint Eastwood movie The Outlaw Josey Wales, two men in Josey Wales’ traveling party are captured by Sioux Indians.  Josey Wales meets with Ten Bears, the leader of the Sioux Nation, to negotiate their release.  During the conversation Ten Bears speaks about the white man (U.S. Government) not keeping their word.  After hearing Josey’s reply, Ten Bears utters a strong statement, “There is iron in your words.”  They make an agreement that is sealed with blood as the two men cut their palms and then shake hands.  The two prisoners are released and a peace is forged.

Do you keep your word?  Is there “iron in your words?”  In a world where many leaders make promises that they do not keep, it is nearly impossible to believe what they say.  When asked why they back-tracked on a promise, they immediately go into spin mode, deflecting blame and never really answering the question.

“You  lie” was shouted out in many of the town hall meetings across the country by Americans wanting to hold their elected officials accountable to the promises they made.  The words “politician” and “liar” have become synonymous. 

In times past a man’s word was his bond.  Before written contracts, many deals were sealed with a handshake.  No more.  It must be in writing with addendums and exhibits to the contract.  Trust is out the window.  Even when contracts are binding, they only ensure an offended party has recourse if the contract is broken—Ten Bears had it right when he said, “No signed paper can hold the iron. It must come from men.”

What happened?  Why are we as a people so untrustworthy?  I believe greed, deception, self-preservation and a lack of character has led us to a place I don’t know if we can ever come back from.

So many people say character does not matter, “can he or she do the job?” is all that matters.  To many, even marriage vows don’t mean anything.  Divorce rates are in excess of 50% and are not getting any lower.  Keeping your word is important only if it is convenient.  

In a small church in Oakland, CA, twenty-two years ago I made a promise to my wife to be her husband for life.  It was one not taken lightly, and after all of these years I am still committed for life.  A promise does not have an expiration date.

Leadership is about saying what you are going to do and doing what you say.  When people can believe what you say a trust is built that will be hard to tear down.   Keeping your commitments and being held accountable for what you have committed to is the hallmark of true leadership.

Real leaders always speak with “iron in their words.” 

Underground Leadership

"Some men are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them".  Unknown

With underground temperatures in excess of 90°, thirty-three miners endure tremendous hardship for over 69 days.  During this time they had to fight an assortment of feelings and fears.  Would they make it out alive?  Would they see their families again?  For many of the men their true character was revealed to those underground with them.

One man’s character and leadership emerged, foreman Luis Urzua, as the group’s leader took charge from the start and was instrumental in their survival. This was especially true in the traumatic 17 days before they were discovered.

Immediately after the collapse, Urzua took charge. He began to draw up the orderly rules that would serve as guide in their underground existence, including rationing the small amount of tuna fish and milk available so that it would last longer.  It was a hierarchy to which the men were already accustomed, and they responded to his leadership.

Have you ever been faced with adversity?  How did you respond?  Did panic set in?   Were you looking out for the well being of others or for yourself?   I will be honest I am not sure how I would have responded.  I would like to think that I would have been Luis, immediately mobilizing the men, encouraging them and letting them know that we would get through the ordeal.  His dedication to his fellow miners and his impeccable leadership was the difference between life and death.  It is also important to note that Luis was also the last person taken up from the group.  He saw the well-being of all those under his leadership before he considered his job done.  That's what leaderships is all about!

What are some of the characteristics displayed by Luis?
How would you like to implement those qualities in your own leadership?

The Blame Game

A few years back our company was in a deep decline. Revenues were down and sales were extremely slow. The cause of the problem was poor decision making and a lack of understanding of our business. The general manager in charge of the largest division of our company made several decisions that accelerated the decline. As the Vice President, I was asked by the CEO if I would take over the division, and I gladly accepted the challenge.

I proceeded to implement a new strategy for the business and within several months we began to experience a significant turnaround. I made the best decisions I could, but not all of them proved to be successful—sometimes you learn through trial and error. When something I tried failed, I did not point to the prior leader as an excuse for my failure.

Leaders accept the blame when we fail and give the team the credit when we succeed.

As a nation we continue to endure an unemployment rate of 9.5%, crime, war, poor educational system, homelessness, foreclosures, etc. Politicians on both sides of the aisle claim to have all the answers. Meanwhile many Americans continue to suffer through one of the greatest downturns in our country’s history.

When asked why things are not turning around, our elected officials continually blame the prior administration’s policies and the mess they inherited. Even if there is truth in that position, it should not have come as a surprise. After all it was clearly evident that our nation was in trouble and none of our problems were hidden from those who said they had the answers to setting the country on a new course of prosperity. When it did not happen they merely blamed the prior administration. They were elected on the promise of “Change”.

If we are ever going to extricate ourselves from this morass, we as a nation need to come together and work through issues that continue to divide us. We must be willing to be held accountable for the actions we take and the decisions we make, not play the blame game.

True leaders hold themselves accountable for the results of the decisions they make, good and bad.

The lives of millions of Americans are at stake. Fear and anxiety continue to dominate the hearts and minds of those who do not see a future with much hope. If we continue to seek out our own interests and not those of all Americans, Democrats, Independents and Republicans alike, we will continue to decline. Remember, this economy is affecting us all.

Are you willing to be held accountable for the decisions you make?

Looking Back

"Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others." Jack Welch

As a leader I sometimes wonder what kind of impact, other than profits, I have had on the people I have led. When I received this letter from one of my former hourly employees it encouraged me tremendously. Hearing this employee's observations confirmed that my principles of leadership were finding their mark, and it motivated me to continue to work to strengthen my leadership abilities even further:

Dear Tony,

I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for all of the guidance and encouragement you have given and taught me in the past.

You were and continue to be an inspiration to me and many others that are fortunate to know you.

Over the past few years you have shown me what it takes to be a respected leader. I originally thought it only took a loud voice and some organization to be successful. It couldn’t have been further from reality. You have shown me that it takes respect, encouragement and follow up to be a successful leader.

No matter how busy you were flying around the country or how many meetings you were tied up in you always managed to follow up and keep your word as if I was your only employee.

The greatest thing you taught me was to figure out a difficult situation on my own. You always encouraged me by asking me “what do you think we should do” rather than telling me how to handle it and making me feel rushed. With that type of leadership I felt encouraged and motivated.

Your knowledge and patience has earned the respect you have today from so many people you have affected throughout the country.

I make every effort possible to utilize the many techniques you have taught me and I can only hope that someday I will have just as much respect from my employees as you have from yours.

Many thanks.

Sincerely,

S

It felt so good to know that I was able to play a small part in the development of an individual who is now is a leader in his community.

As a leader I want to encourage you to think about what kind of impact you are having on the people you lead. Are you motivating, inspiring, serving, and respecting the people on your team? I am sure there are individuals whom you have influenced that can say the same thing about your impact on them that my former employee said about my leadership. I hope sharing this letter will inspire you to always be mindful of how you are managing and supervising individuals who work for you as well as those who may be looking at you from afar.

Leadership Essential#2, Respect - check.

Motivational Leadership

Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to be there to help motivate someone? How did you handle it? Do you believe that it’s possible to help others to become better? Below are some of my favorite quotes associated with what I believe to be essential leadership characteristics:

Success

"Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value."

—Albert Einstein

Vision

"The very essence of leadership is [that] you have a vision. It's got to be a vision you articulate clearly and forcefully on every occasion. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet."

— Theodore Hesburgh

Passion

"One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested."

— E. M. Forste

Determination

"The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand."

— Vince Lombardi

Communication

"The basic building block of good communications is the feeling that every human being is unique and of value."

— Unknown

Humility

"Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right."

— Ezra Taft Benso

Honesty

"I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man."

— George Washington

Commitment

"People do not follow uncommitted leaders. Commitment can be displayed in a full range of matters to include the work hours you choose to maintain, how you work to improve your abilities, or what you do for your fellow workers at personal sacrifice."

— Stephen Gregg

Chairman and CEO of Ethix Corp

Although cleverly crafted motivational words alone may not be sufficient to move people to rise above negative circumstances, they can provide inspirational points of light to an individual or individuals that help them regain focus during trying times.

What is your favorite motivational quote?