founder of naked leader
The first words I wrote may be more apt today
Time to Read: 45 seconds
The very first words I wrote for ‘The Naked Leader’ – Chapter 23 – Recapture The Magic.
With global economic uncertainty, they seem even more apt today – 16 years on.
So, after you’ve read them, the question for you as a leader is this – what are you doing each and every day to recreate more of the first, and less of the second?…
Go into any new company, one that is just starting out. Witness the enthusiasm, energy and excitement as the founders discuss their dreams, shape their future and make their plans a positive reality. Feel the culture of a new project at its launch – a new team comes together for the first time, full of hope and expectation at the success ahead of them. Experience a company as it grows fast; see the ideas, instinct and imagination flow through everyone involved, like a collective heartbeat of inspiration. It is a healing process, providing an atmosphere of certainty in the destiny that is being shaped by constructive forces.
Go into any large company, one that has been established for a while. Introduce a management initiative, call it total quality anything, or continuous improvement, or worse still, business process reengineering, then stand back and watch. The blame starts slowly at first, then grows, fast. It eats its way through an organisation, freezing new ideas, initiative and action in its wake. It is like a virus of negativity. War breaks out as everyone focuses on saving costs, avoiding failure, and rooting out anyone who dares to make a mistake. It is a harming process, providing an atmosphere of inevitability in the disaster that is being shaped by destructive forces.
With my love and best wishes
David
X
Sadly I totally agree with you – there is still too much of the second & not enough of the first. Particularly in larger organizations.
The “trick” to deal with it is staying smaller & more flexible as well as having a projects based focus.
“Small Giants – Conpamies that Choose to be Great Instead of Big” by Bo Burlingham is a great book on this whole topic. Well worth the read.
Dear David,
I forgot (or just didn’t want to remember this) when I first read this so many year agor. At the same time the company I work with was exposed to the “business process engineering”. How a cold blanket was but over us and every creative work stopped when the consultant rolled in. So different from when you all come together and plot a course with the resources you have within the company and each individual person. Contribution there skills and strengths. I will look up the book again tonight and re-read chapter 23. Thanks!!