The Actions of the Uncommon Leader
Building on last week’s blog, I want to take a moment to consider the actions of the common leader doing uncommon things. In studying these individuals, it is clear that he/she has a set of actions that they are consistently and religiously committed too. They are actions, that while not complicated, require a level of discipline not seen in everyone.
The first action seen is the faithful, committed consistency of these men and women. Their actions are consistent with their belief systems, values, convictions. What you see with these leaders is what you get. They faithfully live out their values in ways that are admirable and worth following.
I have seen this most recently in an organization I’ve been working with who has a stated value of caring for their employees. The amazing thing is they actually live it out! They really do care and demonstrate in how they train, care for, and compensate those who work for them. They not only state that their employees are their most important commodities, they actually treat them that way. They go to great lengths to obtain, train, and keep their employees. Unfortunately, this is not the case in most industries, non-profits, or religious institutions. Too often employees are treated as expendable and easy to replace. Today, every study, analysis, and article indicate that it is more expensive to hire and replace than it is to simply retrain and reinvest in your employees.
The second action seen is a deep belief and commitment to daily disciplines. These men and women have very clear well-defined set of actions they follow daily. These disciplines or systems enable them to accomplish more than most, in ways that are less stressful. They share disciplines like early risers, reading, exercise, eating healthy, limiting their tv, etc. They recognize what many do not, that discipline increases not only your time, but your wisdom, knowledge, and skill set.
I have one friend who has followed a strict set of disciplines in his daily practices for as long as I’ve known him (25+ years). With a limited education, no real advantages, and very small investment he has built two very successful companies. His commitment to daily disciplines has allowed him to excel where others would have failed. Perhaps a more structured disciplined environment would help all of us.
The final action—one many organizations are now trying to define and instill in their employees—is tenacity. Tenacity is defined as nothing more than the inability to give up. It is belief and certainty that the task at hand can be accomplished and well done. For many, it is defined as resilience—the ability to bounce back and always find the better option.
As leaders, you and I are invited to commit to the actions, disciplines, and belief that failure is not an option, but instead an opportunity to find new and creative ways to make a difference.
