Everyone deserves a good leader. And every leader arrives at a crossroad formed at the intersection of three vital components of any business or endeavor, the intersection of people, purpose, and performance. Choices made at this crossroad determine outcome, opportunities and overall success for the leader, the team and the organization.
Let me illustrate this with a recent example from a meeting with a new client. Larry was hired for a director level position in a field in which he had incredible capabilities but no prior management experience or leadership role. He was driven and eager to grow as a leader and shared a story with me about a particular employee and situation that was part of this growth.
Charlie worked in the company shop for many years. A quiet and reserved man, Charlie was withdrawn in company meetings but always produced good work for the company. Larry wanted to actually meet the people doing the work in the shop and that is where he encountered Charlie. He took notice of the precision and quality of his work and asked, “How did you do that?” about a particular project Charlie was working on. Surprised that someone would actually care, Charlie replied, “Do you really want to know?” With genuine interest, Larry explained that he had done this work before and would really like to hear about the process. Listening to and admiring Charlie’s detailed description, Larry also shared his process from similar projects.
As the men ended the conversation, Charlie looked at his director with a smile and said, “You are the first person from the office who has come to the shop to talk with me.” Moving forward, Charlie regularly spoke with Larry to share ideas and to ask questions. Even the CEO commented to Larry that Charlie is such a different person. “He is sharing and engaged in our meetings. Instead of being in the corner, he now seems to be with us.”
Leaders struggle with prioritizing choices and focus. This is a mindset predicament.
It often looks like this: Hire people to get work done, to sell or craft the product, to make money for the company. The employees in this mindset become tools that are kept according to the results produced. Because Charlie was a functioning tool, producing work, direct engagement with him was secondary to the other duties of the former director. This mindset created a blind spot to the potential valuable assets of the people on the team. Larry had the mindset to connect with people as more than tools and this bolstered teamwork, engagement and outcomes.
Leaders will consistently face the crossroad that intersects people, purpose, and performance.
What if business leaders adopted a new mindset at this crossroads. One that maintains this:
Business leaders can develop dynamic people with a compelling purpose to deliver exceptional performance for their customers.
THREE KEYS TO NAVIGATING THE LEADERSHIP CROSSROAD:
PEOPLE:
Everyone wants to be appreciated and valued for the contributions they make. Leaders should focus on the intentional development of people for full engagement and highest achievement.
PURPOSE:
Everyone wants to bring value to others and be involved in something bigger than themselves. Leaders take the ‘boring’ out of work by communicating the ‘why’ of each job.
PERFORMANCE:
Everyone wants to perform at their best, providing exceptional service and products. Leaders who inspire people to give their best will see results in motivation and quality.
Everyone deserves a good leader.
Become the leader who navigates this crossroad and you will reap success for your business as you watch people do amazing things together.