When I was dropped into a new role as the VP of Quality, I sought to gain knowledge from stakeholders so I could quickly see the challenges I needed to address. I met with the VP of Sales who said the number one goal was to be the favorite partner of our customers. I gained the insight that they were focused on building loyalty vs. simply striving for being #1 in market share. I then moved onto the VP of Operations who said meeting the budget & operations KPI’s each month were top priority. When I asked what about the cascading the overall strategy to the masses, they responded they would keep an eye on that and the people needed to be heads down focusing on the monthly objectives. I gained the insight of action oriented leadership and seeking to motivate people month after month to focus on a result.
Through this insight the Leadership Divide became quite apparent to me:
- Some leaders focus on “Purpose”
- Some leaders focus on “Performance”
- When leaders do not focus on both… The Leadership Divide unfolds
As I reflect on this week’s podcast with Jeff Haden on Motivation – Why Motivation Doesn’t Guarantee Success it validated The Leadership Divide I saw as an outsider looking in at the differences in leadership perspective. Motivation to achieve a result and having the discipline to stay the course will get a result.
In our conversation we spoke about preparing for a half marathon and eventually crossing the finish line; claiming success. But what was the purpose of doing the half marathon? During my conversation with Maulik Parekh (episode goes live 8/6/21), we discuss building a sustainable future based on aligning everyone on a single purpose to achieve an outcome.
When we think about a greater purpose, the half marathon I discussed was really around personal accomplishment and having the courage to try something new. If I didn’t complete the half marathon, I still achieved the greater purpose of having the courage to try.
Why is this important? Let me tell you the rest of the story…
During my entire time within this organization where the leaders maintained their divided leadership styles, I never saw them truly coming together and working in tandem.
Instead, I witnessed leaders tolerating differences and pushing through each month. Often times there was finger pointing on why the customer wasn’t being serviced or sales simply doesn’t understand operations. A Leadership Divide doesn’t serve anyone and results over the long term were not sustainable.
With the Leadership insight that focusing on both Purpose & Performance gave me clarity to do the following and help steer my organization from being last to #2 out of 4 regions in 18 months:
- Create a Framework of One: Working as One Team, Working in One Way Towards One Goal – to be #1.
- Monthly One to One’s with my people helping them to build Strategies & Roadmaps with an 18 month view to help them align on Purpose
- Changing my role from focusing on monthly results (this upset my leadership) towards developing a highly talented staff to have greater influence and alignment with plant managers towards an aligned purpose.
When I implemented this approach aligning Performance and Purpose, I was able to achieve True North or Peace of Mind. We got the results, but it played out based on a sustainable mindset and building future capability. Even more importantly is the legacy we leave behind. Four of the six people on my team have since moved on to new roles with higher levels of responsibility and impact. Ultimately; isn’t this the sustainable impact we need to achieve and leave our legacy?
If these leadership insights resonated with you, I now offer to you The CEO’s Compass – Your Guide to Get Back on Track . We will be informing you very soon how to order this book and you too can change the course of your organization days…. not months. This book is coming out later this month and you can be the first to realize The CEO’s Compass may be the solution to getting to Peace of Mind for your organization.
I also offer to you a free 30 minute call to see where you may be off track and how our offers can help you to leave a lasting impact.
Resources
Good Reads:
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
While this serves as a business book to give you the tools to enjoy profits from your business, it’s at the essence a mindset shift in prioritizing your leadership style. When we distill what is important such as building leadership skills in our people first, the long term benefits of the business will be realized and sustained. Focusing on executing the tactical elements of maintaining a budget are necessary, it’s a roller coaster of one month achieving your goals and then next month reactivating when you don’t. Slow and steady and realize the profits of your business or investing in people are a more sustainable approach.
Good Music:
Never Look Back by Giuseppina Torre – a very uplifting song I love to listen to especially while running. It helps me to overcome challenges and drive myself to push on.
Good People:
I’m so inspired by my conversation with Jeff Haden, the Author of The Motivation Myth. As I listened to the interview as a “listener” vs. the “host”, I realized that motivation comes from within and it comes with practice and dedication; realizing small wins and the determination to keep going.