Over the years, we have witnessed an interesting pattern when evaluating the ultimate success of companies. When it came down to brass tacks it was the personality, character and values of the chief executive or leader of the company that ultimately determined its success. For example, one leader had us evaluate his company from stem to stern only to find out that it was the leader's reluctance to lead the company in the first place that was the root of the problems of the company. Another leader at another company had excellent leadership qualities and a firm idea of the direction of the company, but was too lazy to carry it out. Yet a third was filled with energy, determination, and ambition, yet was too reluctant to delegate authority to others, creating great confusion in the company. In all these instances, the company and the people in that company suffered as a result of a personal shortcoming of the top executive.
Each individual has a unique set of habits, opinions, attitudes, values, level of organization, skills, knowledge, strength, and energy that together make up his or her character. It is often something lacking in the character of the leader that is the chief obstacle in the operations and development of a company. This is naturally more true of a small business where the leader is the company in one sense. Even in a larger company, the original character weakness of the original leaders can carry forward over decades in the company's underlying culture.
Perhaps the greatest thing a leader can do is identify his or her weakness, and then make a concerted effort to overcome it. If, for example, a leader is psychologically weak, he needs to find out why and become stronger. If he is bullying and insensitive, he may need to loosen the reigns or have more compassion. If he is disorganized, he must become organized. If he is lacking in basic leadership skills he must acquire these. Whatever character flaw one possesses must be overcome, for one's own sake, and for the sake of the company and staff.
As we have witnessed countless times, any leader, manager or owner can grow as an individual, which will in turn help the company reach its full potential in the form of high energy, vast productivity, and enormous profitability.
Each individual has a unique set of habits, opinions, attitudes, values, level of organization, skills, knowledge, strength, and energy that together make up his or her character. It is often something lacking in the character of the leader that is the chief obstacle in the operations and development of a company. This is naturally more true of a small business where the leader is the company in one sense. Even in a larger company, the original character weakness of the original leaders can carry forward over decades in the company's underlying culture.
Perhaps the greatest thing a leader can do is identify his or her weakness, and then make a concerted effort to overcome it. If, for example, a leader is psychologically weak, he needs to find out why and become stronger. If he is bullying and insensitive, he may need to loosen the reigns or have more compassion. If he is disorganized, he must become organized. If he is lacking in basic leadership skills he must acquire these. Whatever character flaw one possesses must be overcome, for one's own sake, and for the sake of the company and staff.
As we have witnessed countless times, any leader, manager or owner can grow as an individual, which will in turn help the company reach its full potential in the form of high energy, vast productivity, and enormous profitability.