DASHBOARD GROUP

The Rear View Mirror – part 2

In Leadership on March 14, 2010 at 8:25 pm

Last week, I wrote that “leaders, by definition, have followers.  The question for you to consider is why they are following.”

Based on the feedback I received from “followers” of all sorts, it became clear that many leaders are abusing their roles.  They are really dictators, not leaders.  So, I decided that we needed to continue on this theme.

So, I’d like to challenge all leaders to examine themselves and ponder another question: “Why should people follow me?”

And the answer needs to be something more compelling than, “because I’m the boss.”

Drop me a line with what you come up with.

The Shift Points blog is designed for Fast Lane leaders who want to leave their competitors in the dust.

Shift Your Thinking.  Accelerate Your Results.

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The Rear View Mirror

In Leadership on March 7, 2010 at 9:42 pm

Growing up, one of my favorite movies was The Gumball Rally, a 1976 comedy inspired by the actual Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash held by Brock Yates.

In the movie, the Ferrari team hires a professional driver, played by Raul Julia, to give them a competitive advantage. The first thing he does is tear off the rear view mirror, and utters a line with many leadership implications.

“The first rule of Italian driving … what’s behind me is not important.”

And having driven in Italy, I can tell you first-hand that many Italian drivers take this lesson to heart.

The corollary for leaders is not what’s behind you, but who.

Leaders, by definition, have followers.  The question for you to consider is why they are following.

Are they following because they have to?  After all, you’re the boss.  They have no choice.

Or, are they following because they want to.  Because they believe in you and in your vision.  Because they are convinced that your strategy is the right one.  Because they have deemed your mission to be worth the investment of their life?

So, leaders, take a look in the rear view mirror … because who’s behind you is really important.

You can watch the trailer for The Gumball Rally on YouTube here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y-8Cq7wib8

The Shift Points blog is designed for Fast Lane leaders who want to leave their competitors in the dust.

Shift Your Thinking.  Accelerate Your Results.

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Reading the Signs

In Alignment, Leadership on March 1, 2010 at 7:33 am

High-performance leaders see things that others don’t, and see them before others do.  They have an uncanny knack for “reading the signs.”

Some of the most common signs include:

  • STOP.  What should you stop doing?

A recent client was discussing a major, multi-year initiative designed to transform their organization and their industry.  I asked the CEO, “Since launching this initiative, what have you stopped doing?”  The answer was nothing, but they have since launched a complete project review.  I suggest you do the same, with the intention of stopping the good in order to invest in the best.

  • CURVE AHEAD.  What is changing in your market?

Every one of my clients is facing some kind of change in their industry segment.  For some, it is price pressure from new market entrants.  For others, it is new, game-changing technologies.   Or radically shifting customer requirements.  So, the key is to build an organization that is both aligned and agile.  In my opinion, this kind of aligned agility may be the only real sustainable competitive advantage.

  • DEAD END.  Are you simply heading in the wrong direction?

Some organizations have ignored some of the warning signs.  They are driven by historic inertia.  Their industry segment underwent a massive shift years ago, but they were not able to change.  If you are heading towards a dead end, you don’t need a mild course correction, you need a U-turn.

  • FORK IN THE ROAD.  What are the critical strategic decisions ahead?

Yogi Berra said, “When you get to a fork in the road, take it.”  Many organizations are facing a major strategic decision.  One that requires making a real choice.  Should we go left … or right?  If this is you, compile all the information you can.  Test all of your assumptions.  Seek wise counsel.  And make the right decision.

Every leader has to read the signs.  High-performance leaders read them and respond.

The Shift Points blog is designed for Fast Lane leaders who want to leave their competitors in the dust.

Shift Your Thinking.  Accelerate Your Results.

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