A Fictional Fireside Dialogue with George Washington
Across from me sat George Washington…His presence filled the room, not with grandeur, but with gravitas—the kind that comes from bearing a nation’s birth in your bones
Across from me sat George Washington…His presence filled the room, not with grandeur, but with gravitas—the kind that comes from bearing a nation’s birth in your bones
I always hoped there would be a Hollywood Super Bowl ending for Tony, not just because I would benefit as a fan of the team, but because it felt like he deserved it. If stepping aside in this fashion is his last leadership act as quarterback for the Cowboys, then he goes out as a true leader in my book. He is someone I would be happy for my kids to look up to. The ending may not be the one he wanted, but it was a gift he gave to us all.
It is easy to be sucked into petty disputes and inter-office politics, but as the leader, you need to rise above it. You must never forget that your employees take their cultural cues from you. You are a role model!
Over the weekend, the world lost a legendary football coach, leader, and man. I wish it had happened under a less dark cloud. However, life doesn’t always work that way. I will always view him as a great (albeit flawed) man who leaves behind an incredible legacy of good works and a tremendous record of accomplishment.
However, this stain on Coach Paterno’s record should not blot out all the other good things he did in his life which is considerable.
There is nothing more distasteful to employees than a boss who has no control over his/her emotions. People look to their leader to lead with confidence and resoluteness not to “suffer the slings and arrows” of their emotional ups and downs. Of course there will be adversity and disappointment – that’s part of the job (and life in general). However, what separates great leaders from everyone else is that they actually get cooler under pressure and have an unflappable nature about them when things go wrong.
Unless you are the one business who has figured out a way to be successful in spite of your staff and/or customers not because of them, then you are simply creating obstacles to your own path to success.
It all starts at the top. Whether you are a politician, government official, leading hedge fund executive, Wall Street banker, corporate CEO, small business owner, college president, sports coach, professional athlete, teacher, parent, etc., your actions do matter! Strong Ethics aren’t a luxury but a requirement of any well run business, organization, community, classroom and family. Behaviors do ultimately have consequences. And, even though you may win in the short term by always putting your needs first, not playing by the rules or stretching the boundaries of what’s acceptable, ultimately it will catch up with you and sadly have adverse consequences for others in your life.
It’s easy to fall in love with your own opinions and limit your intellectual breadth to your own world view; however it also stunts your growth personally and professionally. A good mentor will ensure this does not happen by providing an objective opinion regarding your ideas, decisions and actions.
One a leaders primary responsibilities is to create an environment where people thrive and good work gets done. Never forget that you are always on stage and have an audience.