Leadership

I first learned the use of the phrase, "hit by a bus," from reading Gallop Researcher Jim Collin’s book, Built to Last. Jim wrote that through his research and experience, all of the successful companies he had worked with passed the "hit by a bus" standard. Simply put, if you were to be hit by the proverbial bus tomorrow, would your team or organization go on without you? Would they continue to improve beyond where they are today? If your answer is yes, then you are a “clock builder” instead of a "time teller." The clock builder builds the clock, develops systems and process around what really matters. The result—people use the clock to tell time themselves. The time teller has [...]

As a leader of people, we need to understand the difference. There are theories on the best way to lead people. For example, there is iron-fisted enforcement, or positive recognition and reinforcement. Let’s check Webster on the definitions: enforce: controlling, force something to happen, make sure a rule or law is obeyed. Reinforce: make something stronger, support, help, amplify. Both words denote getting results from an individual or team. However, the manner in which these results are achieved are very different. I am certain your people don’t wake up every morning and say, "I can’t wait to go to work today and be controlled, manipulated, or managed." I am confident they are willing to be led by a leader who is interested [...]