We live in interesting times. Change and uncertainty appear to be the new norms. And we have a bit of a mess on our hands. In the past couple of decades, many organizations have lost track of their purpose, taken short cuts, and compromised the really important stuff for short term gain.
Karma is a bitch and now we have to pick up the pieces. Now is the time for a little anarchy.
The thinking that got us here will not (and cannot) move us forward. Before you and your organization gallop off down the “social media will solve everything” road, it’s time for a gut check. And it needs to be a real gut check because some fundamental things must change – leadership must change. Sure you have a beautiful brand and all sorts of bright shiny technology, but are you a good place for people?
If you really want talent, you have to be a good place for talent. This may require a radical overthrowing of tradition. It’s probably time to introduce a little anarchy into your organization.
Become Radically Transparent. You and your organization should work to be transparent in everything – open books, open communications, open leaders and open doors. Trust has been shattered and can only be rebuilt over time in a transparent environment. Stop making judgments about who needs to know and about who could provide valuable insight–open it all up to everyone.
Get Over Yourself. We know that you have paid your dues to get where you are. We get that and we respect that. But it’s not about you. Being a leader is about helping the people around you succeed, it is about making yourself smaller and others bigger. Your job is to unlock the talent in the people around you and set it free. It’s an important job because that talent is the greatest resource your organization has: it must not be wasted. Your role as the leader is to serve your people, now more than ever. Go serve them now, before it is too late.
Give Power to the People. If you do not have faith in people, you should reconsider being in the people business. Be relentless in making sure your people are emotionally connected to the purpose of your organization and make sure that they have the resources to deliver on that purpose. If your employees are coming to you on a regular basis asking for your permission to do something, you are not a leader. If you want to be a leader, tirelessly work to support employees in delivering on your organization’s promises.
Celebrate the Complaints. Embrace your bitchers, whiners and complainers. Listen to what they have to say. At least you know they still care. Complaints provide you with the opportunity for learning and improvement. They don’t feel as nice as the compliments, but they teach you a whole lot more. Nobody said leadership was easy. If you can’t handle a little criticism, find a different job.
Get Out of the Way. People want to kick ass, and you should let them. Hire the right people, let them know what needs to be done, and then get out of their way. The job of the leader is to remove the obstacles that are blocking the path to rock star results. Finding and attracting talent is of little value if you are not willing to turn it loose.
Take Your Title and Stick It. Just because you have a fancy title doesn’t make you a leader. Leadership is a shared behavior, not an individual title. Leadership is about capturing hearts and minds. You are a leader when people choose to follow you. People buying into an effort, a vision or an idea because of its merit is something very different than doing something because you are the boss. And another thing, if you have ever used the word subordinate to describe a person you work with, you are not a leader.
The old rules of top down hierarchy are no longer relevant. Controlled messages and information hoarding have no place in organizations today. This is the time to dismiss these antiquated practices, to slay a few sacred cows and to kick down some cubicle walls. This is the time for a revolution in how we do business. This is the time for a little Talent Anarchy.
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April 22nd, 2009 at 12:12 pm
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April 24th, 2009 at 5:19 am
“Get Over Yourself – We know that you have paid your dues to get where you are. We get that and we respect that. But it’s not about you. Being a leader is about helping the people around you succeed…”
- Very well said.
April 24th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Interesting title considering that it was anarchy, poor forethought and lack of business knowledge that got us into this mess. While much of what you say is on track, going back to the basics of how business is done – ethically and honestly – is what while right the ship. These Anarchists of Industry in politics, the financial sector, the banking sector, these predators of industry in the mortgage world were all driven by greed. As the old saying goes, too much of a good thing isn’t always good. While greed can be good and capitalism is the way of the USA, being transparent is the only way to do business AND survive.
April 25th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
LOVE your blog. Will continue reading. Will also refer to it in my own.