Can you walk the walk or just talk the talk ?
In my work everyday I talk with incredible people who are looking to transform their personal lives or their professional lives. They are looking for answers that certainly aren’t coming from our so called “leaders “ in Washington or in some big organizations. Who do we follow ? Who will tell us the truth ? Who will be our hero today ?
But what is most fascinating to me is that within a small organization where you have 8 or 10 employees… You expect the Owner to be the leader. Especially if you are in the “leadership “ field. I compare it to Doctors make the worst patients?
Just because you are an expert on a certain topic – doesn’t make you a good practitioner.
But what makes it worse is when you don’t have a culture of trust in your workplace those who are the expert practitioners in your organization do not feel the free path to create and innovate. They are always on guard incase the “owner” will over hear a conversation and disapprove… This is a culture of fear. It is dysfunctional and will eventually collapse… maybe even after 25 years in business. Because how do you inspire people to stay ?
McDonalds didn’t succeed because they had a great hamburger ! It was an innovative new concept and a great marketing strategy. Thomas Edison wasn’t the first one to invent the incandescent light bulb but he was the first one to get to market… he had a strategy that allowed creativity to flow much like the electricity we have come to enjoy so much.
Admit you can’t lead but then allow those who can to grow and create within the organization. Allow for the creative conversations to take place so a relationship will blossom into a profitable arrangement. If your attitude is always status quo then so will your profits be status quo …
Walk the Walk or practice what you preach… If you are indeed crippled by your own fear and control issues then step out of the way or close your doors. It really seems very clear cut to me. But then acknowledging our own weakness, lies and self betrayals requires a desire to do so… a recognition that transformation is needed. And frankly some people just can’t do it. Again the Fear Factor.
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