Some themes seem timeless even if the circumstances that gave rise to
certain scenarios varies over time and place. I first wrote much of
this post in November 2013. Different time, different place and
different person than who I am today. That being said, what goes around
comes around and the subject matter appears equally relevant to me as
it did many years ago.
A lament that I've often heard
from many leaders is "Why don't my staff get what we are trying to do?"
The context for this can relate to many things - a focus on developing
new products or service offerings, a desire to enhance customer service
capability, a shift in emphasis in strategic direction, or any number of
other "big-ticket" ventures that a leader undertakes. Regardless, the
long and short of the story is that things are not going right and
certainly not as well as the leader expected. In fact, rather than
succeeding the initiative is actually failing.
The
leader's frustration - and mystification - at the lack of success
arises because in his/her mind the initiative should be moving forward
rapidly, smoothly and with a minimum of bumps along the way. From the
leader's perspective the reasons for moving forward assertively and
confidently are so self-evident that there should be no reason for
confusion or lack of action. From the leader's perspective all steps
that should have reasonably been taken to communicate the importance of
the initiative have been taken. From the leader's perspective
implementation of his/her brilliantly conceived idea should be
proceeding easily and smoothly because...well...it's just so bloody
brilliant!
Yet, success is not forthcoming. And maybe
that means it's time for a change in perspective. Maybe its not about
them. Maybe it's about you.
It's often far easier to
blame others for a lack of success or progress in moving an organization
forward than in taking a hard look at what we are doing or not doing as
the leader. It's personally challenging to start asking some hard
questions about what role I as a leader played in not setting the
organization up for success. What steps did I not take? What warning
signs did I ignore?
So maybe your leadership is
getting in the way. First off, like anyone else, leaders can develop
tunnel vision. We may have become so engaged with our day-to-day work
that we start to lose perspective. Despite the fact that we
are specifically tasked with maintaining that 50,000 foot view - or
maybe as a result of it - we can lose a sense of what else might be
happening in and around the rest of the organization. In essence, we
have become trapped by our own mental box and simply can't conceive of
factors or issues that might impact successful implementation of our
ideas. The facts may even be staring you right in the face but you
simply are no longer able to see them. Here's where developing a true
climate of trust and confidence in your team can pay huge dividends.
The more objective eyes on the ball the better.
Related
to the tunnel vision noted above is a phenomenon that I'll describe as
the speed trap. As leaders we can easily get caught up in the desire to
move forward as fast as possible. Time is money, we have to get out
ahead of an issue, we have to be first to market, we have to move, move
and move faster. This driving sense of urgency, however, can cause us
to plan in a superficial fashion and gloss over challenges. More
importantly, as we try to solve a problem the anxiety we feel to get on
with things can actually prevent us from understanding the issue before
us. As a result, we may not be tackling the real problem but only
dealing with its most noteworthy symptoms. The adage of pay now or pay
later bears listening to. Only in this regard the currency in question
is time. Slow down to move faster and more effectively.
Leaders
can also be confounded by an overconfidence in their ability to
communicate. Effective communication is never simply about getting the
memo(s), emails, or newsletters out or having a grand launch event. For
any significant initiative, the leader and his most trusted lieutenants
have already spent a considerable amount of time coming to grips with
the whys and wherefores of the initiative. They understand the
importance of the effort not only at an intellectual level but more
importantly at a visceral level. Leaders are therefore surprised and
amazed that the rest of the organization doesn't have the same level of
understanding and commitment. The reality is that nobody else has been
able to spend as much time on this idea as the leader already has. They
truly don't yet "get it" because they have not yet been given the time
to understand the rationale for the effort. A leader and his support
team must not only communicate but allow time for the idea to be
digested. In addition, effective communication will ensure
and incorporate a feedback loop that allows a check on understanding of
key messages and expectations.
Paradoxically, I have also
observed that leaders can similarly be confounded by their own lack of
confidence or sense of self. There may be in fact a lot of exceedingly
strong-minded contrarians among your leadership team or other
significant stakeholders. I have observed too many conscientious and
"nice" leaders fail to follow through on their core values when faced
with well-stated or vociferous opinions. They hesitate, change their
mind, or never achieve the full potential of what they envisioned for
the team or their larger organization. Ultimately, they find themselves
challenged by not owning their own values and hopes for the
organization strongly enough. Or they hold out false hope that
eventually consensus will win out. Unfortunately, many leaders -
effective or ineffective - discover that you have to break some eggs to
make an omelette. Not everyone may be as altruistic, futuristic and
self-sacrificing as you.;
Success in implementing
past initiatives may also cloud judgment on a go-forward basis. A lack
of planning, preparation, and good communication may not
have confounded success in the past. A leader may have succeeded in
spite of himself for a whole variety of reasons. A fact-based analysis may not
have been undertaken to help identify key learnings. Perhaps we were
saved by even worse planning and preparation of a competitor. Perhaps
we were saved by the extraordinary efforts of our staff. The truth is
we don't really know what factors supported success or what that success
actually cost us. The result is that a leader is unduly confident in
his own ability or otherwise complacent relative to what the next effort
is really going to take.
Finally,
the ability to move an initiative forward may be most fatally
confounded by the organization's assessment of the leader and his/her
motivations. Ultimately, I believe that words and actions of a leader
must line up over the long run. Staff and stakeholders will commit more
strongly to something if they believe it serves the achievement of the
organization's stated mission, vision and values. They will commit if
they can see benefit for them as individuals and for the organization as
a whole. If, however, past experience has informed them that the
leader is first and foremost concerned about his/her personal gain an
integrity gap will develop and grow. In these circumstances, the leader
may gain compliance but he will not gain true commitment to future
endeavours. Staff and stakeholders will ultimately see through the
motivations of a self-absorbed leader. It may take some time, but
eventually organizational performance will suffer.
There
could be probably be a few more warnings posted here about not rushing
to judgment on one's staff. The cautionary tale is one of making sure
to look at yourself in the mirror first before casting aspersions on the
skills, abilities and motivations of your followers. Have you done
enough to set the stage for success? Have you provided the right tools
to support effective implementation? Have you looked at the issue from
all perspectives?
In the end, it may be that it's not them that failed you. Maybe you failed them.
______________________________
Greg Hadubiak, MHSA, FACHE, CEC, PCC
Executive Coach/Leadership Consultant
President & Co-Founder - BreakPoint Solutions
gregh@breakpoint.solutions
Helping
leaders realize their strengths and enabling organizations to achieve
their potential through the application of my leadership experience and
coaching skills. I act as a point of leverage for my clients. I AM their Force Multiplier.
Monday, November 26, 2018
Friday, May 11, 2018
Getting the Right People on the Bus
One of my favorite authors and speakers is Jim Collins. His research and the perspectives on leadership have certainly resonated with me and perhaps no more so than the concept of Level 5 Leader - a leader who is ambitious for the success of the team/organization and not just for themselves.
One of his other perspectives that has hit home for me in the past several weeks is that of "getting the right people on the bus" and/or also helping others off of the bus. The bus metaphor is further captured by the phrase "First Who, Then What". In this own words:
What I have been struck by is how many "errors" continue to be made by organizations and leaders in getting the right people on the bus and in making sure that the right people are in the right seats. My recent experience has seen this happen at all levels of an organization - with Board's selecting their next CEO, CEO's looking for C-Suite candidates, all the way down to first-line management personnel. Over and over again - in each circumstance - I'm struck with how simplistic some of the selection processes can be. Over and over again, too many selection processes fall prey to the power of powerful/likeable personalities or a plethora of credentials. Unfortunately then, the chances of success for the candidate and the organization are akin to a roll of the dice - which would be a lot less expensive than many traditional selection processes.
The recent examples that I can relate and their costs are stark. Senior Executives let go with as little as 4 months on the job experience. A leader terminated within a year of hire but not before creating a an environment so toxic that several team members quit, organizational credibility was significantly damaged, and organizational performance stalled. Leaders kept in roles not suited to their skills or leadership capacity - because others couldn't or wouldn't face hard realities, provide effective feedback, or make hard choices. The consequences of poor selection processes, inadequate identification of performance expectations, and lack of oversight and real feedback all combine to throw the proverbial bus to the ditch.
And yet, to me, the fix seems simple. Spend REAL time and effort up front understanding your own organization, its unique challenges and opportunities. Get CRYSTAL CLEAR on the leadership qualities you need for the role, for the direction you are headed as an organization in the next 5 to 10 years, and what a leader needs to bring as a person to your team. If you believe you are going to have to change the culture of your organization - to be more innovative, creative, flexible - then hire with those criteria in mind. If you are going to require more stability hire accordingly.
This all happens before the posting goes up, the candidates for interview are selected, and choices are faced. Create the IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE and don't settle! Better to try again than make a mistake which could cost you far more than a vacant chair. Be honest and courageous in understanding lessons from past selection and performance failures. If your past processes have failed you, CHANGE THEM!!
Hiring leaders and team members can be among the most strategic decisions you ever make. Leaders are critical points of leverage for success of all other staff. And your staff are critical points of leverage in your relationships with your customers and in pursuit of your organizational goals. Leaders can be a force multiplier for both good and bad.,
______________________________
Greg Hadubiak, MHSA, FACHE, CEC, PCC
Executive Coach/Consultant
BreakPoint Solutions
gregh@breakpoint.solutions
780-250-2543
Helping leaders realize their strengths and enabling organizations to achieve their potential through the application of my leadership experience and coaching skills. I act as a point of leverage for my clients. I AM their Force Multiplier.
One of his other perspectives that has hit home for me in the past several weeks is that of "getting the right people on the bus" and/or also helping others off of the bus. The bus metaphor is further captured by the phrase "First Who, Then What". In this own words:
You are a bus driver. The bus, your
company, is at a standstill, and it’s your job to get it going. You have
to decide where you’re going, how you’re going to get there, and who’s
going with you.
Most people assume that great bus
drivers (read: business leaders) immediately start the journey by
announcing to the people on the bus where they’re going—by setting a new
direction or by articulating a fresh corporate vision.
In fact, leaders of companies that go from good to great start not
with “where” but with “who.” They start by getting the right people on
the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right
seats. And they stick with that discipline—first the people, then the
direction—no matter how dire the circumstances.
What I have been struck by is how many "errors" continue to be made by organizations and leaders in getting the right people on the bus and in making sure that the right people are in the right seats. My recent experience has seen this happen at all levels of an organization - with Board's selecting their next CEO, CEO's looking for C-Suite candidates, all the way down to first-line management personnel. Over and over again - in each circumstance - I'm struck with how simplistic some of the selection processes can be. Over and over again, too many selection processes fall prey to the power of powerful/likeable personalities or a plethora of credentials. Unfortunately then, the chances of success for the candidate and the organization are akin to a roll of the dice - which would be a lot less expensive than many traditional selection processes.
The recent examples that I can relate and their costs are stark. Senior Executives let go with as little as 4 months on the job experience. A leader terminated within a year of hire but not before creating a an environment so toxic that several team members quit, organizational credibility was significantly damaged, and organizational performance stalled. Leaders kept in roles not suited to their skills or leadership capacity - because others couldn't or wouldn't face hard realities, provide effective feedback, or make hard choices. The consequences of poor selection processes, inadequate identification of performance expectations, and lack of oversight and real feedback all combine to throw the proverbial bus to the ditch.
And yet, to me, the fix seems simple. Spend REAL time and effort up front understanding your own organization, its unique challenges and opportunities. Get CRYSTAL CLEAR on the leadership qualities you need for the role, for the direction you are headed as an organization in the next 5 to 10 years, and what a leader needs to bring as a person to your team. If you believe you are going to have to change the culture of your organization - to be more innovative, creative, flexible - then hire with those criteria in mind. If you are going to require more stability hire accordingly.
This all happens before the posting goes up, the candidates for interview are selected, and choices are faced. Create the IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE and don't settle! Better to try again than make a mistake which could cost you far more than a vacant chair. Be honest and courageous in understanding lessons from past selection and performance failures. If your past processes have failed you, CHANGE THEM!!
Hiring leaders and team members can be among the most strategic decisions you ever make. Leaders are critical points of leverage for success of all other staff. And your staff are critical points of leverage in your relationships with your customers and in pursuit of your organizational goals. Leaders can be a force multiplier for both good and bad.,
______________________________
Greg Hadubiak, MHSA, FACHE, CEC, PCC
Executive Coach/Consultant
BreakPoint Solutions
gregh@breakpoint.solutions
780-250-2543
Helping leaders realize their strengths and enabling organizations to achieve their potential through the application of my leadership experience and coaching skills. I act as a point of leverage for my clients. I AM their Force Multiplier.
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
On The Pursuit of Loyalty
The Trump Presidency has passed its first anniversary date and for a variety of circumstances I've written relatively little that relates to Donald Trump's style of leadership. Certainly it's not because there has been a lack of material to draw from. More truthfully, its probably been reflective of my general level of busyness and perhaps even an inability to settle on one topic or issue raised by Donald Trump's actions. No doubt, as many of you who read my posts might rightly conclude there is a particular disconnect between Donald Trump's style and what I believe constitutes good leadership.
One subject that has had my attention for some time, albeit belatedly in the context of the past year, is the concept of loyalty. Perhaps most famously in this presidency we have had the public specter of Donald Trump allegedly demanding/expecting loyalty of then FBI director James Comey. The issue continues to wend its way through due process, caught up in the Russia probe, and a host of other tweets and crises since first being reported.
Donald Trump, however, is not unique in the realm of "leaders" demanding loyalty from their subordinates. I have been subjected to two powerful examples that mirror similar demands of "loyalty" from past leaders. In one circumstance, my "leader" went so far as to demand a written/signed commitment of loyalty. Some followers acquiesced. Others did not. Those that didn't inevitably found themselves isolated or "reintroduced to the marketplace". I made a decision at that time to move on to greener pastures. I did, however, utilize this experience to positive benefit, being able to demonstrate, in contrary fashion, to my new team how I was not going to lead. The prospect of looking for a written oath of loyalty astounded them. That being said I'm sure many of them would have signed on to such a declaration if I had presented it. They didn't know who I was and what values I worked by. The power differential between them and I, and the desire for job security, likely would have made them swallow hard and sign.
A demand for loyalty doesn't have to come about in so blatant a fashion. A second circumstance I experienced was as a consequence of being part of a 360 evaluation for one of my other "leaders". There were at least seven of us subordinates at the senior executive table and we were asked to respond to a Board-managed, anonymous, evaluation process for our boss. A pretty standard process. As events would prove out, my senior executive colleagues and I operated from a similar belief system - namely that no one is perfect, no one warrants perfect scores, and there is always room for improvement. Our CEO's actions upon receiving the results proved that they were operating from a different set of parameters and expectations. Immediately upon receiving the evaluation results we were collectively subjected to one of the most resounding tongue lashings we had ever been on the receiving end of in recent memory. The message was clear - similar responses and perspectives into the future, shared with the Board, would be met with swift, significant and unpleasant consequences on our part. Our loyalty to the CEO was never to be in question again. The evaluation process for the CEO was substantially altered thereafter - to chilling and inauthentic effect in future years.
In both circumstances - and for Donald Trump - the demand and push for loyalty ultimately engendered nothing of the sort. While I can appreciate the expectation and desire for loyalty, demanding it and utilizing various forms of coercion (positive or negative) does not beget true loyalty, commitment or engagement. At best they establish deference and compliance. Or a "partnership" with one's leader that is more akin to a deal with the devil. How far can this leader advance my personal agenda? At worst this power play, this coercive approach starts to foster group think - don't challenge the leaders perspective or facts. You do so at your personal peril. Best efforts are diminished and huge amounts of potential that could have come from fostering and leveraging the strength and diversity of a team are lost.
What's also clear, I hope, from these examples is that each of these leaders was not looking for loyalty or commitment to a bigger and broader cause. They were looking for personal loyalty. Again nothing wrong in hoping and working towards such a goal. Great rewards can come from that type of relationship. However, I'm suggesting that this kind of commitment only comes from a much deeper and more trusting relationship, based on common understanding and similarity of values, which also, more than likely arises from shared experience, where values and congruency with actions can be evaluated in both good and challenging times.
True loyalty is ultimately EARNED by the leader, not given or received via coercion. The former approach results in lasting commitment and powerful opportunity. The latter approach conjures up a mirage that is only visible to the leader demanding it.
Act with integrity, demonstrate a commitment to values that transcend personal gain, hold true to your commitments, speak and act in service of the truth, treat others fairly, and above all treat others with as much or more respect as you would expect or hope to be given to you. I'm suggesting that this is a more constructive, rewarding and lasting path to creating the kind of loyalty you might crave as a leader. Be an authentic leader and loyalty may be yours. Play the role of tyrant and keep watch over your shoulder for displays of disloyalty.
The choice is yours. It's all about leadership.
______________________________
Greg Hadubiak, MHSA, FACHE, CEC, PCC
Executive Coach/Consultant
BreakPoint Solutions
gregh@breakpoint.solutions
780-250-2543
Helping leaders realize their strengths and enabling organizations to achieve their potential through the application of my leadership experience and coaching skills. I act as a point of leverage for my clients. I AM their Force Multiplier.
One subject that has had my attention for some time, albeit belatedly in the context of the past year, is the concept of loyalty. Perhaps most famously in this presidency we have had the public specter of Donald Trump allegedly demanding/expecting loyalty of then FBI director James Comey. The issue continues to wend its way through due process, caught up in the Russia probe, and a host of other tweets and crises since first being reported.
Donald Trump, however, is not unique in the realm of "leaders" demanding loyalty from their subordinates. I have been subjected to two powerful examples that mirror similar demands of "loyalty" from past leaders. In one circumstance, my "leader" went so far as to demand a written/signed commitment of loyalty. Some followers acquiesced. Others did not. Those that didn't inevitably found themselves isolated or "reintroduced to the marketplace". I made a decision at that time to move on to greener pastures. I did, however, utilize this experience to positive benefit, being able to demonstrate, in contrary fashion, to my new team how I was not going to lead. The prospect of looking for a written oath of loyalty astounded them. That being said I'm sure many of them would have signed on to such a declaration if I had presented it. They didn't know who I was and what values I worked by. The power differential between them and I, and the desire for job security, likely would have made them swallow hard and sign.
A demand for loyalty doesn't have to come about in so blatant a fashion. A second circumstance I experienced was as a consequence of being part of a 360 evaluation for one of my other "leaders". There were at least seven of us subordinates at the senior executive table and we were asked to respond to a Board-managed, anonymous, evaluation process for our boss. A pretty standard process. As events would prove out, my senior executive colleagues and I operated from a similar belief system - namely that no one is perfect, no one warrants perfect scores, and there is always room for improvement. Our CEO's actions upon receiving the results proved that they were operating from a different set of parameters and expectations. Immediately upon receiving the evaluation results we were collectively subjected to one of the most resounding tongue lashings we had ever been on the receiving end of in recent memory. The message was clear - similar responses and perspectives into the future, shared with the Board, would be met with swift, significant and unpleasant consequences on our part. Our loyalty to the CEO was never to be in question again. The evaluation process for the CEO was substantially altered thereafter - to chilling and inauthentic effect in future years.
In both circumstances - and for Donald Trump - the demand and push for loyalty ultimately engendered nothing of the sort. While I can appreciate the expectation and desire for loyalty, demanding it and utilizing various forms of coercion (positive or negative) does not beget true loyalty, commitment or engagement. At best they establish deference and compliance. Or a "partnership" with one's leader that is more akin to a deal with the devil. How far can this leader advance my personal agenda? At worst this power play, this coercive approach starts to foster group think - don't challenge the leaders perspective or facts. You do so at your personal peril. Best efforts are diminished and huge amounts of potential that could have come from fostering and leveraging the strength and diversity of a team are lost.
What's also clear, I hope, from these examples is that each of these leaders was not looking for loyalty or commitment to a bigger and broader cause. They were looking for personal loyalty. Again nothing wrong in hoping and working towards such a goal. Great rewards can come from that type of relationship. However, I'm suggesting that this kind of commitment only comes from a much deeper and more trusting relationship, based on common understanding and similarity of values, which also, more than likely arises from shared experience, where values and congruency with actions can be evaluated in both good and challenging times.
True loyalty is ultimately EARNED by the leader, not given or received via coercion. The former approach results in lasting commitment and powerful opportunity. The latter approach conjures up a mirage that is only visible to the leader demanding it.
Act with integrity, demonstrate a commitment to values that transcend personal gain, hold true to your commitments, speak and act in service of the truth, treat others fairly, and above all treat others with as much or more respect as you would expect or hope to be given to you. I'm suggesting that this is a more constructive, rewarding and lasting path to creating the kind of loyalty you might crave as a leader. Be an authentic leader and loyalty may be yours. Play the role of tyrant and keep watch over your shoulder for displays of disloyalty.
The choice is yours. It's all about leadership.
______________________________
Greg Hadubiak, MHSA, FACHE, CEC, PCC
Executive Coach/Consultant
BreakPoint Solutions
gregh@breakpoint.solutions
780-250-2543
Helping leaders realize their strengths and enabling organizations to achieve their potential through the application of my leadership experience and coaching skills. I act as a point of leverage for my clients. I AM their Force Multiplier.
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
On Being Flexible - On Being Human
In my last blog post, I set the stage for undertaking a personal challenge and equating it to how one could approach any number of leadership challenges. The conclusion and update to that post reads something along the lines of we came, we ran, we finished. The direction that this journey took, however, reads nothing like what the plan envisioned. Aside from the typical things that might have expected to confound a race of this nature (e.g., cold weather, thousands of people, falls, cuts and bruises) the journey to and through the Dopey Challenge also reinforced the critical importance of knowing one's values/priorities and being flexible in the face of radically changing circumstances.
Our adjusted adventure began early on our flight from Toronto to Orlando. Within the first half hour a medical emergency was announced through the frantic calls of the wife of a stricken passenger. My wife, aside from being an executive coach/consultant, jumped into care mode as the registered nurse she remains. Working in partnership with a couple of other nurses and fellow passengers she proceeded to work under less than ideal circumstances to support and maintain the distressed male passenger. This went on for at least 2 hours. I had a similar opportunity to take care of and entertain the 5-year old daughter of the couple. Other passengers were also at pains to try to help support wife and daughter through this stressful event. We quickly learned that the family of three was on their way to enjoy a week in Disney World. Quite the start to a relaxing and entertaining vacation!
Upon arriving in Orlando, my wife engaged with emergency medical personnel on the ground to provide information to facilitate handover and offer further assistance to the wife and daughter in getting to the hospital or in providing other support as required. What was interesting to me at this time was how the conclusion of the flight had changed the dynamic of support we had seen on the plane. Of the myriad of people who had been around the stricken passenger precious few seemed prepared to extend their efforts and compassion beyond the arrivals lounge. To my cynical and jaded eyes it appeared that not many were prepared to sacrifice their vacations for a stranger they had just met no matter how compelling the story.
We made an effort to remain in touch with the family in the next 24 hours. We had made plans to visit various theme parks at times in and around our races and offered to act as guide and chaperone to the 5-year old girl. Having young children of our own we felt comfortable in believing that we would have been in our element. The offer was acknowledged but not taken up immediately. No surprise - we were after all relative strangers to the family and updates indicated that the father might be discharged form hospital within a couple of days.
Within less than 48 hours of our arrival things would take a turn for the worse. We had completed our 5k run early on Thursday and had been visiting Universal Studios when we got a text around midday asking if we could in fact take care of the 5-year old daughter. The father had been admitted to ICU and was struggling. We didn't hesitate and for the rest of the day proceeded to entertain, as best we could, our new found charge. We were overwhelmed by the courtesy, manners, lightness of spirit and overall capacity emanating from this beautiful little girl. In a very short period of time she won over our hearts. At this time we also started to have serious discussions about whether we would shelve the rest of our races to support the family as they dealt with their unexpected challenge. Our conclusion - despite months of training and anticipation - was yes. Our values suggested a rewrite of our priorities. However, as the day progressed, we learned that other family support was arriving and we could expect to relinquish our "parental" duties sometime in the evening.
Upon arrival at our place we learned from family members that the father had in fact died. We now had to say goodbye to our new found little friend, trying to hold our emotions in check, knowing that in a few short minutes she would be seeing her mother and learn the devastating news. The experience was more than surreal. Later that night, and in the days to come, both my wife and myself found ourselves breaking down in tears, truly unable to come to terms with what had transpired.
For the next few days we probably operated in autopilot mode. We ran our races, followed our routine as best we could, but found ourselves truly unfocused and off our centre. As we read Facebook posts from friends and family of the deceased we found ourselves lamenting this loss even more. He seemed to have cut a wide and positive swath in the lives of others despite his relatively young age of 42. His interests spanned many genres covering off my own love of astronomy. He was a musician. Some called him a renaissance man.
Why this long convoluted story and what does any of this have to do with leadership? First, I believe this is a story that has to be hold if only to honor the memory of a fellow human being that has passed. Second to acknowledge the profound impact that comes to any of us from opening up our hearts and homes in the service of others. My lost fellow traveler clearly had impact on those around him. In many respects he acted as a role model, cheerleader and, yes, as a leader. You can see it in the variety of messages that have come since his passing.
I've always been an advocate for and lived a lot of my life focused on goals and developing plans. However, experience has also taught me the power of being flexible within the context of my values. Our values were put to the test and clarified through this experience. The months of effort, preparation and cost would have been cast aside in an instance - and in some ways were - in order to be of service to others. However, it was also these values, and the ability to respond in the circumstances, that opened us up to the gift that we received from being with a 5-year old girl and her mother we had only met and hardly got to know. They helped reinforce and further develop the power and value of compassion and vulnerability.
Words truly seem inadequate to convey this story and the feelings we have gone through, much less those of family and friends much more intimately and directly impacted. In leadership lessons, I come back to making sure you know your personal values, assess your actions in a conscious way against those values, and remain flexible to circumstances as you pursue your goals within the context of your values.
Be prepared to be flexible, compassionate and even vulnerable. I have seen and felt again the power of being in service to others, appreciate the impact on them, but even more so appreciating the impact on me and who I can yet become.
I continue to lament for the friend I never got to make and keep a wife and daughter in my thoughts and prayers.
Sometimes its not just about leadership. Sometimes its just about being human.
______________________________
Greg Hadubiak, MHSA, FACHE, CEC, PCC
Executive Coach/Consultant
BreakPoint Solutions
gregh@breakpoint.solutions
780-250-2543
Helping leaders realize their strengths and enabling organizations to achieve their potential through the application of my leadership experience and coaching skills. I act as a point of leverage for my clients. I AM their Force Multiplier.
Our adjusted adventure began early on our flight from Toronto to Orlando. Within the first half hour a medical emergency was announced through the frantic calls of the wife of a stricken passenger. My wife, aside from being an executive coach/consultant, jumped into care mode as the registered nurse she remains. Working in partnership with a couple of other nurses and fellow passengers she proceeded to work under less than ideal circumstances to support and maintain the distressed male passenger. This went on for at least 2 hours. I had a similar opportunity to take care of and entertain the 5-year old daughter of the couple. Other passengers were also at pains to try to help support wife and daughter through this stressful event. We quickly learned that the family of three was on their way to enjoy a week in Disney World. Quite the start to a relaxing and entertaining vacation!
Upon arriving in Orlando, my wife engaged with emergency medical personnel on the ground to provide information to facilitate handover and offer further assistance to the wife and daughter in getting to the hospital or in providing other support as required. What was interesting to me at this time was how the conclusion of the flight had changed the dynamic of support we had seen on the plane. Of the myriad of people who had been around the stricken passenger precious few seemed prepared to extend their efforts and compassion beyond the arrivals lounge. To my cynical and jaded eyes it appeared that not many were prepared to sacrifice their vacations for a stranger they had just met no matter how compelling the story.
We made an effort to remain in touch with the family in the next 24 hours. We had made plans to visit various theme parks at times in and around our races and offered to act as guide and chaperone to the 5-year old girl. Having young children of our own we felt comfortable in believing that we would have been in our element. The offer was acknowledged but not taken up immediately. No surprise - we were after all relative strangers to the family and updates indicated that the father might be discharged form hospital within a couple of days.
Within less than 48 hours of our arrival things would take a turn for the worse. We had completed our 5k run early on Thursday and had been visiting Universal Studios when we got a text around midday asking if we could in fact take care of the 5-year old daughter. The father had been admitted to ICU and was struggling. We didn't hesitate and for the rest of the day proceeded to entertain, as best we could, our new found charge. We were overwhelmed by the courtesy, manners, lightness of spirit and overall capacity emanating from this beautiful little girl. In a very short period of time she won over our hearts. At this time we also started to have serious discussions about whether we would shelve the rest of our races to support the family as they dealt with their unexpected challenge. Our conclusion - despite months of training and anticipation - was yes. Our values suggested a rewrite of our priorities. However, as the day progressed, we learned that other family support was arriving and we could expect to relinquish our "parental" duties sometime in the evening.
Upon arrival at our place we learned from family members that the father had in fact died. We now had to say goodbye to our new found little friend, trying to hold our emotions in check, knowing that in a few short minutes she would be seeing her mother and learn the devastating news. The experience was more than surreal. Later that night, and in the days to come, both my wife and myself found ourselves breaking down in tears, truly unable to come to terms with what had transpired.
For the next few days we probably operated in autopilot mode. We ran our races, followed our routine as best we could, but found ourselves truly unfocused and off our centre. As we read Facebook posts from friends and family of the deceased we found ourselves lamenting this loss even more. He seemed to have cut a wide and positive swath in the lives of others despite his relatively young age of 42. His interests spanned many genres covering off my own love of astronomy. He was a musician. Some called him a renaissance man.
Why this long convoluted story and what does any of this have to do with leadership? First, I believe this is a story that has to be hold if only to honor the memory of a fellow human being that has passed. Second to acknowledge the profound impact that comes to any of us from opening up our hearts and homes in the service of others. My lost fellow traveler clearly had impact on those around him. In many respects he acted as a role model, cheerleader and, yes, as a leader. You can see it in the variety of messages that have come since his passing.
I've always been an advocate for and lived a lot of my life focused on goals and developing plans. However, experience has also taught me the power of being flexible within the context of my values. Our values were put to the test and clarified through this experience. The months of effort, preparation and cost would have been cast aside in an instance - and in some ways were - in order to be of service to others. However, it was also these values, and the ability to respond in the circumstances, that opened us up to the gift that we received from being with a 5-year old girl and her mother we had only met and hardly got to know. They helped reinforce and further develop the power and value of compassion and vulnerability.
Words truly seem inadequate to convey this story and the feelings we have gone through, much less those of family and friends much more intimately and directly impacted. In leadership lessons, I come back to making sure you know your personal values, assess your actions in a conscious way against those values, and remain flexible to circumstances as you pursue your goals within the context of your values.
Be prepared to be flexible, compassionate and even vulnerable. I have seen and felt again the power of being in service to others, appreciate the impact on them, but even more so appreciating the impact on me and who I can yet become.
I continue to lament for the friend I never got to make and keep a wife and daughter in my thoughts and prayers.
Sometimes its not just about leadership. Sometimes its just about being human.
______________________________
Greg Hadubiak, MHSA, FACHE, CEC, PCC
Executive Coach/Consultant
BreakPoint Solutions
gregh@breakpoint.solutions
780-250-2543
Helping leaders realize their strengths and enabling organizations to achieve their potential through the application of my leadership experience and coaching skills. I act as a point of leverage for my clients. I AM their Force Multiplier.
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
Expectations, Goals, Preparation and Reset
A year ago, my wife and I attempted to complete the Dopey Challenge at Disney World in Orlando Florida. For those unfamiliar with the Dopey Challenge it amounts to a 5k, 10k, half-marathon and marathon held on
successive days through various Disney theme parks. Last year our potential best efforts were thwarted with the strong intervention of Mother Nature that resulted in the cancellation of the half-marathon on the Saturday. As I sit here at Pearson International Airport in Toronto we look to be similarly challenged by weather in Florida with several days projected to start with near freezing temperatures. Florida and Mother Nature seem bound and determined to challenge us again!
The circumstances we are likely to face present both a physical and mental challenge to our goals for the races. Even leading up to the race event I would say that I feel less prepared for racing the distances than I did last year through a combination of illness in November, general life busyness, and the closer proximity of Christmas (and Ukrainian home cooking) to the races than was the case last year.
I would suggest that the experience of goal setting, preparation, expectations and beliefs is quite similar to anything else I could compare it to in my business and leadership world. I suspect that very many of you will relate to the similar experiences. In my personal experience - both as entrepreneur and as an executive coach - there are usually no shortage of expectations. What I have come to appreciate from the breadth of my experiences is that success in meeting or exceeding those expectations comes from more than just declaring a dream or vision. A number of supporting elements must be in place to deliver on one's own expectations.
First, expectations are important. Even more important, however, is the quality and specificity of those expectations. One of the most powerful tactics that I believe I have employed with myself and for my clients is to drive specificity, detail, targets and timelines in respect of this future state of affairs. In addition, I have tried to establish a multi-year perspective on where I would like to be along with an annual set of goals that become even more specific and detailed. This "visioning" exercise and template is updated at least annually and assessed for progress on at least a monthly basis. I use the same tool - as warranted - with my clients. Without exception, they have all indicated that this has been one of the most powerful tools in our work together. The key here is that none of us lack for dreams and expectations. What we too often lack is a level of detail that helps to hold us accountable to a specific set of actions and milestones.
Second - dreams, visions and accountability are all for nought if we are not prepared to take substantive preparation and action towards those stated goals. Again, it is absolutely not enough to declare a positive personal, leadership or organizational vision for the future without being prepared to put in the preparation, work and effort to succeed or to even have a chance at success. So within the context of the Dopey Challenge, the goals for finishing time for each race has been set and has then driven a training regimen that positions me for the opportunity of achieving my goals. As an aside, I also get a lot of value in comparing notes with other athletes, coaches and leaders on their goals - benchmarking if you will. Each of us must often seek some means to challenge our own limiting beliefs and assumptions about what is possible. So, I believe - both in business and athletics - that despite a perceived late start in both streams that I have the ability to continue to set personal bests.
Third, as last year's weather for the Dopey proved out and this year's weather threatens to provide a repeat performance, the best laid plans never proceed as developed. So aside from all of the preparation and effort that must go into any endeavor we must develop the mental fortitude and strength of commitment to our targeted goals. Accountability to self and to others comes from an ability to respond to adversity - both anticipated and completely unanticipated - to continue along a path that allows us to continue to succeed rather than give up at the first sign of difficulty. This is not simply a "rose-coloured glasses" mentality at work. It's not blind optimism. However, it is surely beyond a woe is me/victim mentality as well. I recognize that there are some events that can be so dramatic as to be beyond our control in pursuit of our goals (e.g., complete cancellation of a race). This is where power, strength and detail of goals, expectations and visions becomes critically important. If the vision is powerful enough I am convinced we will find a way forward even if that means changing tactics and timing to get there. We remain committed to success despite setbacks.
Finally, there are definitely going to be times when we fall short in terms of our commitment and effort, where we don't follow through in terms of stated strategies or tactics. As I have often said, this becomes the time to use our plan as a tool to reevaluate - not punish. In my estimation the former approach leads to an opportunity to reset and recommit (e.g., change race strategy, change business strategy) to a preferred set of goals. The latter approach of chastisement too often leads to despair, victimization and demotivation (e.g., I'm not hitting my race times in practice so I eat a bag of chips to console myself).
And remember - every year, the vision can get updated, new goals set, new improvement targets set. After this week's Dopey Challenge I move on to preparing for the Berlin Marathon in September 2018. After the end of this fiscal year in my business, I reset the goals and strategies to pursue the next level of performance. The power of expectations, goals, committed preparation and constant evaluation lead to greater levels of possibility.
What can you say about your expectations and commitment? What is possible for you. As Henry Ford is purported to have said, whether you believe you can or believe you can't you are right.
On that note, I've recently updated my personal plan to support my next level of professional development and getting back on the track to improve my performance for the 2018 Berlin Marathon.
It's all about leadership and in this case its leadership for and about yourself. The pot of gold awaits those prepared to truly set the goals, make the effort and recommit through challenges.
______________________________
Greg Hadubiak, MHSA, FACHE, CEC, PCC
Executive Coach/Consultant
BreakPoint Solutions
gregh@breakpoint.solutions
780-250-2543
Helping leaders realize their strengths and enabling organizations to achieve their potential through the application of my leadership experience and coaching skills. I act as a point of leverage for my clients. I AM their Force Multiplier.
The circumstances we are likely to face present both a physical and mental challenge to our goals for the races. Even leading up to the race event I would say that I feel less prepared for racing the distances than I did last year through a combination of illness in November, general life busyness, and the closer proximity of Christmas (and Ukrainian home cooking) to the races than was the case last year.
I would suggest that the experience of goal setting, preparation, expectations and beliefs is quite similar to anything else I could compare it to in my business and leadership world. I suspect that very many of you will relate to the similar experiences. In my personal experience - both as entrepreneur and as an executive coach - there are usually no shortage of expectations. What I have come to appreciate from the breadth of my experiences is that success in meeting or exceeding those expectations comes from more than just declaring a dream or vision. A number of supporting elements must be in place to deliver on one's own expectations.
First, expectations are important. Even more important, however, is the quality and specificity of those expectations. One of the most powerful tactics that I believe I have employed with myself and for my clients is to drive specificity, detail, targets and timelines in respect of this future state of affairs. In addition, I have tried to establish a multi-year perspective on where I would like to be along with an annual set of goals that become even more specific and detailed. This "visioning" exercise and template is updated at least annually and assessed for progress on at least a monthly basis. I use the same tool - as warranted - with my clients. Without exception, they have all indicated that this has been one of the most powerful tools in our work together. The key here is that none of us lack for dreams and expectations. What we too often lack is a level of detail that helps to hold us accountable to a specific set of actions and milestones.
Second - dreams, visions and accountability are all for nought if we are not prepared to take substantive preparation and action towards those stated goals. Again, it is absolutely not enough to declare a positive personal, leadership or organizational vision for the future without being prepared to put in the preparation, work and effort to succeed or to even have a chance at success. So within the context of the Dopey Challenge, the goals for finishing time for each race has been set and has then driven a training regimen that positions me for the opportunity of achieving my goals. As an aside, I also get a lot of value in comparing notes with other athletes, coaches and leaders on their goals - benchmarking if you will. Each of us must often seek some means to challenge our own limiting beliefs and assumptions about what is possible. So, I believe - both in business and athletics - that despite a perceived late start in both streams that I have the ability to continue to set personal bests.
Third, as last year's weather for the Dopey proved out and this year's weather threatens to provide a repeat performance, the best laid plans never proceed as developed. So aside from all of the preparation and effort that must go into any endeavor we must develop the mental fortitude and strength of commitment to our targeted goals. Accountability to self and to others comes from an ability to respond to adversity - both anticipated and completely unanticipated - to continue along a path that allows us to continue to succeed rather than give up at the first sign of difficulty. This is not simply a "rose-coloured glasses" mentality at work. It's not blind optimism. However, it is surely beyond a woe is me/victim mentality as well. I recognize that there are some events that can be so dramatic as to be beyond our control in pursuit of our goals (e.g., complete cancellation of a race). This is where power, strength and detail of goals, expectations and visions becomes critically important. If the vision is powerful enough I am convinced we will find a way forward even if that means changing tactics and timing to get there. We remain committed to success despite setbacks.
Finally, there are definitely going to be times when we fall short in terms of our commitment and effort, where we don't follow through in terms of stated strategies or tactics. As I have often said, this becomes the time to use our plan as a tool to reevaluate - not punish. In my estimation the former approach leads to an opportunity to reset and recommit (e.g., change race strategy, change business strategy) to a preferred set of goals. The latter approach of chastisement too often leads to despair, victimization and demotivation (e.g., I'm not hitting my race times in practice so I eat a bag of chips to console myself).
And remember - every year, the vision can get updated, new goals set, new improvement targets set. After this week's Dopey Challenge I move on to preparing for the Berlin Marathon in September 2018. After the end of this fiscal year in my business, I reset the goals and strategies to pursue the next level of performance. The power of expectations, goals, committed preparation and constant evaluation lead to greater levels of possibility.
What can you say about your expectations and commitment? What is possible for you. As Henry Ford is purported to have said, whether you believe you can or believe you can't you are right.
On that note, I've recently updated my personal plan to support my next level of professional development and getting back on the track to improve my performance for the 2018 Berlin Marathon.
It's all about leadership and in this case its leadership for and about yourself. The pot of gold awaits those prepared to truly set the goals, make the effort and recommit through challenges.
______________________________
Greg Hadubiak, MHSA, FACHE, CEC, PCC
Executive Coach/Consultant
BreakPoint Solutions
gregh@breakpoint.solutions
780-250-2543
Helping leaders realize their strengths and enabling organizations to achieve their potential through the application of my leadership experience and coaching skills. I act as a point of leverage for my clients. I AM their Force Multiplier.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)