Leadership

In a world devoid of loyalty from employees and customers, a new style of Leadership is imperative.

Gone are the days when people trusted and followed us on face value and because of position. With global access to information, critical thinking is the modern relationship currency.

Follow this SECRET to make the modern Leadership connection:

Last week I was waiting to check in at the airport and was confounded by the rudeness of fellow travellers toward the airline after a delay. This morning, while having a meeting at a coffee-shop at an upmarket mall, I noticed little kids throwing tantrums and being rude towards everyone in their immediate environment. Then I got back to my home-office where I was faced with more short-temperedness because I forgot to buy a new supply of coffee for the coffee machine.

Instead, I took everyone to our favourite coffee shop on the corner for a cappuccino. Noble I know, but my reason was much deeper than scoring brownie-points. Familiarity will cheer people up, while people will only embrace newness and novelty when they’re in a positive mood.

I woke up this morning to screen-shots and clips of Barack Obama’s SOTU speech and I’m still astounded that a year ago he was heralded by all in sundry as the saviour of the universe – but in true American style, the very folks that elevated him have been slating him. His ratings have been lower than GW’s!! But if we’re going to decide Leadership purely on ratings and number of votes, then perhaps American Idol wannabees can take a few lessons from Barack Obama. Here’s why.

 I have been involved in the teambuilding industry since 1994 and as a result I often get asked by industry publications if I’d like to write editorial or them.  When I agree, they want to charge me a fee because they feel that my article will constitute “marketing”. 

The real message behind this practice though, is not that they want to charge me for marketing, but they are willing to place anyone’s contribution if they are willing to pay.  Irrespective of the author’s experience and / or standing in the industry. The teambuilding industry has changed dramatically in recent times, in part due to the recession, but for the most part because people have changed along with companies' expectations of these excursions.

I listen to young people at my seminars and they all tell me they want to be great, successful, the best at something. That is indeed admirable, but then we are subjected to the drivel our young leaders in business, sport and politics spew from public platforms. Julius Malema aside, the latest guffaw was from SA’s national cricket team (The Proteas) captain Graeme Smith. Read it here. The first thing we need to accept before we can be #1 is that we must keep our personal power instead of handing it to elements outside ourselves.

I recently met with Bruce a company owner and MD intent on growing his already-successful company. He’s in the process of employing Regional Managers, Sales Managers and devising an aggressive sales and growth strategy. He is looking to partner with me as a coach and mentor to his company – but what I discovered was astounding. Bruce has decided to cancel company conference. He’s cancelling the very bastion of motivation and team-building. I think he’s doing exactly the right thing.

Your mind cannot operate in negatives.
 
Whatever you do, do not think of pink elephants!
 
What are you thinking about right now?
 
90% of the population will say ...

Your mind cannot distinguish between what is real and what is imaginary.

 Your mind will move your body in the direction of your dominant thought.

Your mind will find a way to move your body in the direction of your thinking, in the direction of your focus.

 Your mind can only hold on thought at a time.

Whenever I broach this subject in my seminars, females in the audience always challenge me.  They are under the impression – along with most other people – that we can all multi-task.