Monthly Archives: November 2012

!151 – Considering Nonconformists

Not long ago, I heard a comment that grabbed my attention. It is an observation worth thinking about: “In our society, we honor living conformists and dead nonconformists.” There seems to be a lot of truth in that statement. Setting aside the larger social context to consider this from the perspective of leaders and organizations, there are some interesting corollaries. Leaders who move their organizations forward are often independent thinkers who aren’t afraid to take a stand out there on their own. Certainly there are times when a caretaker leader is needed to stabilize a situation, but that is a short term job description. The willingness to be a nonconformist sometimes leads to honor, but it’s not guaranteed, nor is it an easy road. In my view, there is a fine balance between marching to your own drummer and being the esteemed leader of the orchestra. Be someone the musicians can relate to and want to collaborate with to make music.

Food for Thought ~

Considering a different perspective, what is the value to an organization of the dissidents, the employees who question and even criticize? The conformists in an organization are often acknowledged for being team players and well-liked, and the people who ask the hard questions and make the seemingly outrageous suggestions are also providing something of value – challenges to our assumptions, beliefs, and habits. And that’s a good thing. A skillful leader is able to listen to the skeptics, appreciate the kernel of truth that’s usually present and learn something useful therein.

Question for the day ~

Are you comfortable being the minority opinion? Do you listen with an open, non-defensive mind to the voices that raise objections and questions?

Mary

#150 – Strategy + Execution = Success

Today’s topic is a pragmatic one – a reminder for leaders who do some type of strategic planning in their organizations. (And I hope that’s most of you!) As you know, I am a huge proponent of planning, in all its various forms within the dynamic life of organizations. In a nutshell, planning is taking the time and having the discipline to ask fundamental questions, reserving judgement and decision-making until the necessary analyses and creative alternatives have been explored, and engaging the people who later will be responsible for carrying out the plans.

Food for Thought ~

My reminder for you today is that implementation is the key to success in planning. No matter how brilliant, bold, or visionary your plan may be, the actual realization of it lies in its execution. Viewed as a mathematical formula, it would be “strategy + execution = success.” (Actually, the “formula” for success is more complicated, but for this purpose, we’ll keep it simple.) A further reminder is that the implementation phase itself must also be planned. Any substantive plan usually requires thoughtful discussions of priorities, resource allocation, timelines, accountability, communication, coordination and the consideration of secondary implications. As one of my clients likes to say, “It’s a process, not an event.”

Question for the day ~

Have you ever created a plan that wasn’t successful? Was your attention to implementation as diligent as your planning?

Mary

#149 – Leaders and Elections

Today being an election day, I have been considering the matter of leaders and elections. Clearly, most people in leadership positions are not elected, so it’s certainly not a sine qua non for leadership. It’s safe to say that the opposite is true as well, that many people elected to public office are not necessarily leaders. I would like to see the word leader be more rigorously and selectively applied to persons who actually provide leadership. “Public officials” and “electeds” could be the basic terminology used for elected officials. Then, if in fact the individual demonstrates genuine leadership, he or she earns the honor of being called a leader.

Food for Thought ~

I realize this is an example of tilting at windmills, and I have no illusions of influencing a change in the vernacular used in our popular culture. However, as a connoisseur of leadership, I want to shine a light on this issue in my particular corner of the world. I believe there is a distinction between those who occupy official positions of power and authority and those who are truly leaders. It’s a wonderful thing when both co-exist in the same person.

Question for the day ~

Have you ever wondered…would you be “elected” by your followers?

Today’s the day – please remember to vote.

Mary