Comments

Fabulous and well done Dustin - what a star!!!

Posted by Trevor Gay at October 3, 2005 11:40 AM

Fabulous and well done Dustin - what a star!!!

Posted by Trevor Gay at October 3, 2005 11:40 AM

I wonder if this is a case of allowing people to "discover" themselves or is it more a case of allowing people to "express" themselves. On one of my lunchtime walks to the bookstore to flip pages (another year and I'll have read all of re-imagine!), I came across the quote "you are who you are when no one is watching." Maybe that's what leadership is about: letting people do what they'd do if they weren't supervised / scrutinized / managed.

Posted by Ed Di Gangi at October 3, 2005 2:47 PM

Two other examples appropriate to the slides - Mandela's Brilliance Speech and Covey's Eighth Habit.

Ed - I think discover and express are often one and the same in this context. Many people have never actually expressed their true thoughts. When they actually are given the ability to express their own thoughts and have those thoughts valued by others it can ignite a fire of innovation and passion that is nothing short of a discovery!

Posted by walter white at October 3, 2005 4:34 PM

Can you imagine starting a project with 10 resources with a variety of skills then without much communications, these resources naturally begin work and develop their role as the program moved forward? No, corporations would be too busy developing work orders, job descriptions, roles and responsibilities. The job of the leader is to provide the vision and then get out of the way. Many times, we value or measure the value of leadership by how much time they spend within the environment (Remember MBO). In fact, I will argue that the value of a leader is exactly the opposite. When people know where to go and are doing a good job at getting there then the only thing leadership can do is mess it up. As a leader, you have selected the best resources, set the expectation of performance, motivated the group to a greater cause, and spent time developing each team member; now, go find something to do.

Posted by RTodd at October 4, 2005 6:37 AM

I agree with you RTodd - the best leaders just set it all up for others. The crucial thing that I have always believed is the best leaders are 'out of the way' but 'ALWAYS around when you need them.' A paradox in some ways but the greatest leaders I have come across have something of a 'presence' that inspires confidence in people doing the work. That 'presence' does not even have to be physically 'there' - sounds spooky maybe but I know what I mean :-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at October 4, 2005 6:44 AM

I agree Trevor - for example my manager and leader is way out of the way in Washington, D.C. while I enjoy the virtual career high energy of eastern Washington state! Disagree above with a Mandela quote - he and ex-wife are a mixed bag at best.

Posted by Sean at October 4, 2005 9:03 AM

Sometimes it's the simplest acts that define leadership. Be who you say you are, do what you say do and inspire others do the same. Authenticity speaks for itself.

I also think that as one individual to another we sometimes restrict possiblilties by phrases such as allowing others to be themselves. Who are we to allow or not? My belief is that we all have an individual responsiblity to be our authentic selves and in that we can all be leaders

Posted by Beverley Hamilton at October 4, 2005 10:24 AM

The only thing I can think to say is, "WOW!" Maybe a bit cliché for this group.

If one could frame a PowerPoint, this would be the one for me. Thanks Tom. You gave me the ultimate BUZZ today. Really.

Posted by Dustin at October 4, 2005 12:02 PM

Dustin, so print and frame. Thanks!

Posted by tom peters at October 4, 2005 12:13 PM

Dustin - always appreciate your spiritual and human nature insights into this fray of business and personal endeavors!

Posted by Sean at October 4, 2005 12:43 PM

I agree Sean - people are all that matter - great stuff Dustin and great leadership Tom.

Posted by Trevor Gay at October 4, 2005 1:03 PM

Great quote Dustin. Just read the slides and your comment really sunk in. Preach brother!

Posted by Tom O'Leary at October 4, 2005 2:01 PM

Not to extend this conversation for the sake of extending it, but rather because this is something I am passionate about...

Ed, I think people get "being" and "expressing" confused. We are not what we do, but rather we should do OUT OF who we are. I think it is critical that we seek to understand who we were created to be and then align our lives as an expression of that being. Sounds very ethereal, but it is very real indeed.

Maybe I could boil it down to this:
Discovery is FINDING purpose, expression is FULFILLING it.

RTodd, Trevor... I agree. This is a "resource" sorely underdeveloped by companies and organizations. The potential is mind-boggling. But, as a leader you have to ask tough questions like whether your ultimate goal is to influence a business or influence the people of that business. The higher ROI.

Thanks all for the encouragement. My church bell has been rung 100 times.

Posted by Dustin at October 4, 2005 2:21 PM

Sometimes the best thing a leader can do is point a great person at a great project and then - GET OUT OF THE WAY!

Posted by Dave Holland at October 4, 2005 2:58 PM

Quick Off Topic Post - In last month's discussion on "Questioning the Value of Vast" there was a group of people that discussed collaborating on defining "the new local" as coined by Trevor. (Mark JF,Paul H,Jeff,others). If you still would like to participate in such a project please send an email to myself (walter.white@gmail.com) or Trevor via his blog. Thx.

Posted by Walter White at October 4, 2005 11:39 PM

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My favourite leadership quote (which may be a bit obvious but it still strikes me as oh so true) is Peter Drucker's, "Doing the thing right is management; doing the right thing is leadership."

I agree with the "get out of the way" bit but Trevor makes an excellent point about good leaders being around when needed. I think it goes a bit further than that, though. The problem with getting out of the way can be that some folks are then surprised when the team goes off track or doesn't execute. Good leadership - it seems to me - is also about agreeing goals or objectives, following through, light supervision, selective intervention, encouragement, support, reward and developing people. quick viagra

We can argue about whether this needs charismatic cheerleaders or (red rag to TP!) quiet leaders but these strike me as the basic building blocks.

Posted by Mark JF at October 5, 2005 3:08 AM

Let me add a bit on my “get out of the way” rant. I am currently writing an article on leadership based on my Hurricane Relief week in Biloxi, Mississippi. This trip reminded me on what true leadership is and is not. When you place people in situations where there are no financial rewards, the true distinctions of leadership will emerge. The following components are my observations during this crises and the application back home.

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1. Everyone and Everything Matters
2. There are Multiple Paths but Only One Goal
3. Set a Vision and Get Out of the Way
4. Show Appreciation Whenever Possible
5. Perform the Crappy Jobs
6. Utilize the Elements of Storytelling
7. Ensure the Basic Needs are Covered

Several years ago, I went to a volunteer site where a director was leading the effort and they never picked up a hammer, never ensured we had enough water, and never once expressed appreciation for those who gave so much. Needless to say, they are no longer considered a leader in my eyes, simply a corporate pawn.

Posted by RTodd at October 5, 2005 5:57 AM

RTodd, I love #2 - There are multiple paths but only one goal. Too many "leaders" mandate paths instead of goals.

I have a hard time with #3 - Set a vision and get out of the way. It may be the ambiguity of "get out of the way" that bothers me. Maybe it's more like TEACH a man to fish... then LET him!(but don't just SHOW him and LEAVE him)

Knock the eaglet out of the nest, but don't let him fall to his death.

Posted by Dustin at October 5, 2005 10:03 AM

When I use the term “get out of the way” I am speaking metaphorically. True leaders should be able to wear multiple hats: leadership, management and ditch digger. By saying “get out of the way”, I mean stop standing around gawking and grab a shovel.

Posted by RTodd at October 5, 2005 11:34 AM

Dustin - teach a man to fish though - then he has to snack on fish his whole life! :>} Really appreciate the spiritual vibe of your writings!

Posted by Sean at October 6, 2005 11:41 AM