Do You Lead Negatively?

A powerful tool in executive coaching is the 360 assessment. Anonymous feedback from the leader's direct reports as well as others who work with the leader are powerful conversation starters.

Here are a few anonymous comments from past assessments in my files that raise red flags.

- She points the way, but doesn’t support her followers.
- He only knows how to make demands. He doesn’t know how to express faith in people. 
- She leads by fear.
- Weak on encouragement. Very judgmental.
- Always needs to be in control. Lacks confidence in the people she manages
- Comes to meetings with is his mind made up.

There seem to be three major categories for "negative leadership."

The Power personality: Always with the team and always in control.
- Demands respect, tyrant, inflexible, restrictive, perfectionist
- Rule oriented rather than people oriented, command and control, her way or no way
- Loves and recruits “yes-men” and keeps them close at hand
- Low self-esteem and low in confidence, roadblocks to connecting with others
- Workaholic and expects others to do the same
Team outcome: tired, uncreative, low morale

The Flash personality: The “helicopter” leader drops in to check on the team.
- Swoops in to make suggestions, leads with assumptions, laissez-faire
- Doesn’t listen to ideas suggestions or take questions (or limits questions)
- Behaves differently in front of superiors
Team outcome: instability, poor productivity, team members don’t see a future

The Ego personality: There is an “I” in team and its me!
- Has all the answers, needs to be right, Teflon coated so if there is a problem it’s not his fault
- Insincere, exploitative, arrogant, narcissistic
- Shows favoritism, may lack integrity
- Emotional insecurity, lack of conscience
Team outcome: distrust, tension and stress, team members make sure their butts are covered!

All three of these types have a bad reputation. I am not sure any of these negative leaders are coach-able. They are candidates for counseling because there are deeper issues involved. Counseling will only work if they acknowledge their bad leadership and want to change.

Ideally, these “leaders” need to realize they lead and act poorly. They need to learn to dial back and become adaptable. Overcoming negative leadership requires taking the hit and also giving credit where credit is due. Most of all, they must learn to think of others, use emotional intelligence and practice the Golden Rule. 

The man who stops by the negative leader’s office to dust and empty the trash, he is part of the team and should be treated with kindness, courtesy and compassion. Take time to get to know him. He may hold a great idea that creates a positive bottom line! 

If you were have those who report to you and those you work with fill out a 360 assessment on you, what do you think the feedback would say? 

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

Sheena Iyengar, Columbia Business School professor and author of The Art of Choosing, conducted the famous “Jam Study." Grocery-store shoppers who were offered a coupon for one of six different jams were more likely to buy a jar than if they were offered a coupon good for one of 17 jams. "People are more attracted to a lot of choice," Iyengar said, "but when it comes to making a choice, they are more likely to [actually] if they have fewer options [rather] than more." Her research seems to offer evidence, more is less! Her research put talk radio’s Rush Limbaugh on a tirade that this was un-American, anti-freedom! Even though we may not care to hear it, truth is reality. It took the Catholic church until 1993 to accept Galileo's work!

With the holiday season coming, the gadget catalogs have been filling my mailbox. They are filled with “James Bondesk” items for daily living. Toys for boys! Comfort for girls! iPhone add-ons! Time suckers! Healthier health choices going way beyond Obamacare!

What caught my attention were the wrist watch time pieces! They go way beyond the mainstream Timex and Rolex watches! Are we bored with time and the way we track time! There was a watch made of sandalwood. Scented time! The Circular LED watch tracks time with light. HighLIGHTED time! The Triarch LED watch displays time in geometry. Time with a new angle! Want your watch to truly tell you the time? A male voice distinctly tells you the time when its inconvenient for you to look. Time has a voice. The Verticular watch reminds one of the elevator tracker panel on the first floor of a high rise. Time going up or time coming down? How about a genuine Navy Seal watch! (Reminder of the time the Seals got Bin Laden.) Got a case of OCD? The “Always Accurate Watch” continuously calibrates its time with the U.S. Atomic Clock, at Ft. Collins, CO. Serious time. The world’s thinnest calendar watch merges German engineering with Swiss watchmaking. Time meets diversity! The faceless watch has hidden LED’s in the watch band. Time to be discreet?

What I find interesting and perhaps troubling in these catalogs is that none of these watches are shown on the wrist of a human being. Where is the human touch, the human contact, the human interaction? Another observation, all of these watches are for men! Is time keeping a man-thing? Is keeping time masculine or macho? What is the message the wearer is sending to others? Are these watches cryptic symbols for the need for better time management? 

What time piece would you choose or could you choose?! Why? Where are you spending your time these days? Are you spending too much time trying to make up your mind?

    Does anybody really know what time it is?
    Does anybody really care?
    If so I can't imagine why.
    We've all got time enough to die.
                      Robert Lamm,
                      Chicago, 
                      Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

Dear Brett,

11/7/12

Dear Brett,

I did not sleep well last night after your news that Marines denied you to join them. You did nothing wrong. They came to a “moment-of-truth” and asked for a complete confession of past transgressions. You were honest and forthright, the highest quality of character and of which this world is short on. You shared that you had taken a friend's prescription pain-killer a couple of years ago for a headache when visiting because he had no over-the-counter pain reliever. Unfortunately, policy trumped common-sense and wisdom and the Marines denied you the ability to serve.

Unfortunately, the Marines taught you a bad lesson. Don’t tell the truth, because you will be punished. They put a kink in trust not only in being a Marine but in serving this country.

I wish I could have taken this “bullet” for you. I wish that I could have spared you the pain. I have felt your pain and know how gut wrenching it is. I remember being told by a woman I loved that she no longer loved me. It turned my world upside down. I felt all my hopes and dreams were broken into a million pieces. I felt unworthy. I felt embarrassed. I felt shame.

Fortunately, there were people who believed in me, who loved me, who assured me that a new day would come. It took time. It took patience. It took work. The wound healed. I believed I was good enough to love and be loved. You are an outcome of that healing.

I know you. I know your heart. I know when you believe, you make things happen. I saw that back when you were in the grade school when you decided you wanted to be the lead in the 5th grade musical. You persevered and succeeded. I saw it on the soccer field when you wanted to be the starting goal keeper. You persevered and not only got the starting position but became captain of the team. I saw it when you wanted to go to a division I college to play soccer and realized it did not meet your expectations and chose a different course. You persevered and graduated from college.

As low as you are, you have a history of overcoming adversity. Your expectations have been altered by someone else, but it does not mean you cannot pursue your goal.

I believe in you. You are one of my role-models. You are an inspiration to me and others. You are loved and you have a gift to share to make this world a better place. Do not let someone deter you from making that difference.

I love you.

Now go Carrpe Diem!

Dad

I'm Blue...

Today it all comes to a screeching halt. Our nation will try to select a president. It does not look good. No matter who wins, a large number of people will not be happy.

We've justified who should be president as well as who should not be president. Over Six Billion Dollars has been spent on justification. I have buyers remorse. I'm blue. I threw some money into a campaign and wish I'd thrown it into the Red Cross basket for victims of Sandy.

I'm blue. It has become increasingly evident that policy and ideology have trumped the ability for civil conversation. If someone doesn't believe in our "brand" of religion, our "brand" of politics, our "brand" of sexual orientation, our "brand" of race and heritage we label "them" as sub-human, retards, idiots, neanderthals or any other name that demonstrates superiority over "them." It's as if some have a monopoly on the truth, the facts, the RIGHT WAY and the light. 

You know the facts of life. Life is ambiguous and the longer we live the more it becomes evident. Life is hard and the longer we live, the more evident it becomes for the need to simplify. Life is grace and the longer we live we might recognize how truly blessed we are!

I realize this is a generalization, but I find people tend to fall into three categories:
- The cynics. The cynics tend to be older, wounded, have unfilled expectations, feel cheated, and do not trust people, systems and process. They are see a fresh bouquet of flowers and ask, "Who died?" I'm blue around cynics. It's tough to have a civil conversation with cynics.
- The entitled. The entitled believe they deserve. They give "this" and deserve "that." They payed their dues and expect a return. It's about going up, never sideways or God forbid, downward. Their motto, "You owe me!" I'm blue around the entitled. When I'm around the entitled, I wonder if I'm square with them. Civil conversation might be possible with the entitled until you step on one of their entitlements!
- The humble. The humble are the few. They have no score to settle and no scorecard to keep. Everyday is a gift. They serve where they are needed. They give without expecting anything in return. They take responsibility and step up as needed. They have balance in their lives. They are selfless. They are spiritual. They laugh often. They are a blessing to be around and to work with. Civil conversations are the norm with the humble!


Two key questions that have come up in this campaign that continue to rattle around in my brain:
- Are you better off than you were four years ago?
- Don't you deserve...?

I'm blue. The cynics and entitled, who seem to be the majority, see themselves as not being better off and deserving more. 

I'm looking for more humble! Are you out there? Would you like to have a civil conversation?

You Are What You Listen To?

Every now and then conversation comes to, “What podcasts do you listen to? Why?” Here are the podcasts I listen to regularly via iTunes. Once a week I plug my iPhone into my computer, click on iTunes and update. I listen to these podcasts at different times throughout the week.

On Being - Krista Tippett
http://www.onbeing.org

Key descriptors: soul food, spirit, faith, love, hope, inclusive

Overview: From the website...“Krista envisioned a program that would draw out the intellectual and spiritual content of religion that should nourish our common life, but that is often obscured precisely when religion enters the news.”

Why I listen? As a Christian, I believe God calls us to unity, not uniformity. Krista Tippet draws from all things spiritual. She creates space for unity for the listener. The Psalmist wrote, “Be still and know that I am God.” One of my favorite things to do with On Being is to listen to the podcast early in the morning and then be still. What did I hear? Where was the voice of God?

Favorites I’ve not erased:
The Far Shore of Aging (July 26, 2012)
The "Happiest" Man in the World (October 27, 2011) [encore]
The Inward Work of Democracy (June 28, 2012) [encore]
The Body's Grace (May 3, 2012) [encore]
What We Nurture (March 29, 2012) [encore]
Desmond Tutu's God of Surprises (Feb 23, 2012)
Pursuing Happiness with the Dalai Lama (December 29, 2011) [encore]
The Prophetic Imagination of Walter Brueggemann (December 22, 2011)


Ted Radio Hour
http://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/

Key descriptors: perspectives, fascinating, thoughtful, AHA!

Overview: Host Allison Stewart takes a theme and draws upon several TED presenters and their TED talk to weave an hour of insight.

Why I listen? I love www.ted.com! Presenters have 18 minutes or less to tell their story of passion whether it be the arts, science, education, research or philosophy. TED routinely demonstrates less is more! Stewart connects the dots of several presenters on a particular theme. The listener gets several perspectives to noodle!

Favorites I’ve not erased:
Building A Better Classroom
The Future of Cities
Where Ideas Come From
Fixing Our Broken Systems
The Power of Crowds
Food Matters
The Pursuit of Happiness
Our Buggy Brain

Freakanomics
http://www.freakonomics.com/radio/

Key descriptors: enlightening, informative, educational, no-limits, challenging

Overview: Economist Steven Levitt and journalist Stephen Dubner partnered to write the best selling Freakonomics. That partnership has lead to SuperFreakonomics, a documentary film and a radio show! The radio show/podcast continues where the books left off!

Why I listen? I read Freakonomics and realized that there is a hidden side to everything! Istvan Banyai captures this theme in his children’s picture book, The Other Side. One of my favorite bumper stickers is, Critical Thinking - The Other National Deficit. Freakonomics engages critical thinking!

Favorites I’ve not erased:
How American Food Got So Bad
The Truth is Out There...Isn’t It?
The Upside of Quitting
You Say Repugnant, I Say...Let’s Do It!
Do More Expensive Wines Taste Better?
What Would the World Look Like If Economists Were in Charge?
The Dangers of Safety

The Moth Podcast
http://themoth.org

Key descriptors: magnetic, arty, human experiences, unexpected, gripping, inspirational

Overview: Just when you think you’ve heard everything, you realize you haven’t. Started in 1997, The Moth begins with a theme and then storytellers from all walks of life tell their story free style, sans notes, to a hungry standing room only crowd. “Moth stories dissolve socio-economic barriers, expose vulnerabilities, and quietly suggest ways to overcome challenges and see with new eyes.”

Why I listen? Storytelling is at the heart of connecting with and to others. Forget PowerPoint, forget charts and graphs. Tell a story. This is the place to learn why storytelling is so powerful. The Moth is also a great place to learn how to tell stories and reflect on your own stories.

Favorites I’ve not erased:
Adam Gopnik: Rare Romance, Well-Done Marriage
Annie Duke: A House Divided
Terence Mickey: One Family’s Garbage
Elif Shafak: Writing Amidst the Ruins
Tom Bodett: Inside Passage
Martha Manning: What Can’t Be Fixed
June Cross: Secret Daughter


This American Life
http://www.thisamericanlife.org

Key descriptors: Diverse, the untold/unknown story, quirky, surprise, random, imaginative, stimulating

Overview: Each week host Ira Glass and his team take a theme and then find or create three stories that relate to that theme. The outcome draws from current events, culture and narrative threads yielding a tasty stew! On one of the webpages for This American Life its stated, “We think of the show as journalism.” If this is the case, this show would be found in the Lifestyle section of the paper. Begun in 1995, This American Life has won numerous awards. Nearly 2 million people tune in This American Life each week.

Why I listen? It is good ear candy! Sometimes it nourishes. Sometimes I find it hard to listen to. No matter, it is one of those pieces that reminds the listener there is more to life than the daily news.

Favorites I’ve not erased:
#109 - Notes on Camp - If you ever went to summer camp growing up, this will stir memories
#204 - 81 Words - How the American Psychiatric Association came to the conclusion that homosexuality was not a mental illness
#290 - Godless America - Perspectives on church and state
#462 Own Worst Enemy - Stories of people who are their own worst enemy

What are you listening to? How does what you are listening to transform, enlighten or help you grow?

Dear Mr. Mazzuca,

Mr. Robert Mazzuca

Chief Scout Executive

Boy Scouts of America

1325 Walnut Hills Lane

Irving, TX 75015-2079

Dear Mr. Mazzuca,

My purpose in life is to help individuals, groups and organizations to learn, to live and to promote “seize the day” which can reduce suffering and enhance life. Scouting has been an incredible foundation for me discovering my purpose. Scouting runs deep in my family. My mother grew up in Boy Scout camps as my grandfather was a professional scouter. My scoutmaster, Larry Lemser, Troop 516, Centerville, OH, was a scouter’s scout, part of my inspiration for working to achieve Eagle. I earned the rank of Eagle back in 1969. My mother had my Eagle badge and God and Country badge framed in a shadowbox. Until recently, it hung on my office wall. It is now missing.

My Eagle Scout badge is missing because of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) policy of "not granting membership to open or avowed homosexuals.” If it makes any difference, I’m straight. While my accomplishment to achieve Eagle has nothing to do with BSA policy, the Eagle rank does represent values I believe in and found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. The BSA policy is contrary, hypocritical and non-affirming to the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. Stated on the BSA website concerning the building of character, “Few will argue with the importance of teaching values...such as fairness, courage, honor and respect for others.” Character is revealed at times of adversity.

Are the BSA doing its best? Are the BSA doing its duty to God (I’m thinking of the two greatest commandments in Christianity) and our country? Other God fearing and patriotic organizations such as the Girl Scouts, 4-H clubs, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and even the U.S. Armed Forces, have put an end to such discrimination.

I was told by my scoutmaster at my Eagle Court of Honor, “Once an Eagle, always an Eagle!” I can no longer claim to be an Eagle Scout nor promote the Boy Scouts of America as a primary start to learning leadership. I hope you and the others who create policy find the wisdom and courage to walk-the-talk of the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. It’s okay to be straight, but it’s not okay to be narrow.

Carrpe Diem!

David Carr

What Can a NASCAR Pit Crew Teach Us about Team and Leadership?

Plenty!

I am not a follower of NASCAR, but after working with a group at the Michael Waltrip Racing Center, Cornelius, NC, recently, I am more likely to watch a NASCAR race just to see the pit crews in action. Lots of team and leadership lessons to learn and re-learn!

These pit crews of six members are athletes and they train like athletes! Michael Waltrip Racing has an excellent workout facility with a full time trainer. I’d pay to be a member! Pit crew members workout in this facility five days a week. They simulate race-day pit crew routines daily. Practices are video recorded and studied to see what was done right as well as what could be improved. 

Race day, the pit crew members are dressed in fire-proof suits with helmets that can cause them to lose up to 8 pounds of weight race day! Talk about having to focus under incredibly uncomfortable conditions for at least 6 hours is a huge feat.

Each pit crew member has a specific role of jackman, front tire changer, rear tire changer, gas man, front tire carrier and rear tire carrier. The jackman  has to lift a 3400 pound car with driver on each side of the car at a strategic location two times in a pit stop to change up to four 60 pound tires. The gasman has to lift two 90 pound gas cans. All this has to be done in 12.5 seconds or less if possible! They may need to do this process every 15 minutes for four hours. Add to this that these people get up at 3 AM on race day to catch a plane to fly to the race track and do not return home until 11 PM or later that night! 

Little things make a difference for the pit crew. For example, lug nuts are glued onto wheels about three hours before a race. At three hours the glue will be set just right. If there is rain delay, the lug nuts need to be removed and re-glued. 

To be successful at helping to win a race requires knowing your role as well as each member’s role. One of the pit crew members shared he was not good at handling the jackman position. He acknowledged his weakness and focused on his strength as as the front tire changer. (FYI - when not working out or practicing with the pit crew, he is in the marketing department of MWR!) Precision and accuracy come from practice, practice, practice. Endurance and perseverance are essential especially when things go badly. I noticed in the workout facility on the white board the #1 item, “The mind is primary.” There are incredible mind games and challenges at work on this team. Finally, encouragement is like secret sauce! It does make a difference!

How do you and your team measure up to the required behaviors of being on a NASCAR pit crew? What do you and your team need to work on to win your race?