“To aspiring leaders I say recognize this tremendous opportunity you have to influence other people, to develop other people and help them succeed. Obviously, everyone wants their organization to succeed and success means results. To get results, what we really need is for the people to succeed because if everyone is succeeding, the organization is going to thrive. It's going to be a place where people want to work, which drives productivity. Lastly, I want leaders to be inspired to see the magnitude of their role and the opportunity they have. One final thought, if they don't like leading and they don't like dealing with people problems, holding people accountable while also patting them on the back; if they don't want to walk that street, then I'd rather they move on and not pursue leadership. I think you have to be honest about that. It’s not for everybody.”
Please speak to the importance of nurturing up-and-coming leaders
“We've got to understand that if we don't develop the next generation of leaders, they may not get developed. Leaders need to be aware of their influence on the next generation, because values are caught more than taught. I was sitting in the conference room with a group of leaders discussing one particular leader in the organization that yells and curses at his employees, when one man started laughing. He said he understood that behavior because that is how he used to operate. Everybody was surprised because he is not that type of leader today. He explained when he was a young leader, that is what his boss had done and he thought that was what leaders were supposed to do. It's the realization of the power you have, how it shapes the way people see you and themselves. The acknowledgement of the up and comers have that you see in them potential that they may not. There are so many famous leaders in their role because somebody recognized their potential, encouraged them, and then helped develop it. I think that's one of the best investments we can make in our future- to develop the next generation of leaders. From a practical standpoint it makes so much sense because you're building a stronger company, a company that will become more profitable, have longevity and be the type of organization you can be proud to be a part of. From a legacy standpoint, it's huge.”
