July 1, 2002
Being a Contribution |
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The major leadership question facing Boards of
Directors and CEOs of companies today is:
"Can I find people who care more about
the customer, the shareholder and the employee than themselves?
Are people available who believe so much in the shareholder, customer
and employee that their decisions will be demonstrate this?"
Yes, there are some. However, selfishness
and self-centeredness do abound.
The true hallmark of a leader is to be selfless.
Leaders are always considering ways to support customers or staff.
Their belief is, "If I make a contribution today to the growth
of my staff, it will bolster morale and move us closer to our teams
objectives." It is a frame of mind. Instead of seeking your
self-interests, consider waking-up in the morning and being a contribution.
What a different mind set. Your days will have a sense of purpose
and excitement for the opportunities ahead. Your focus will be on
contributing to people and their success. It is a noble vision for
your day. It is an uplifting way to lead a company, a team, a family
and even your life.
Try these "contribution assignments"
over the next few weeks:
ASSIGNMENT: How have you contributed over
the past week?
First week:
Identify any thing that you said or did
that you are willing to call a contribution (example writing
a thank you note to an employee, intervening in a difficult situation
or supporting a difficult decision).
Describe the contribution. How was it?
Was it out of character? How did it make a difference? What were
the reactions of other people? How was your behavior different than
in other situations? (Think about how you describe yourself in the
light of contribution.)
Second Week:
Take notice of how other individuals are
or are not a contribution as the week goes by. You are to notice
only. Please do not correct or coach anyone. Journal about your
reactions to what you saw. In your next staff meeting, share your
thoughts. Allow time for response.
Third Week
The third assignment is to cast yourself
as a contribution into the week ahead, Like a pebble into a pond,
imagine that everything you do sends ripples out beyond the horizon.
Think about yourself and your team.
Naming oneself and others as a contribution produces
a shift away from self-centeredness and engages us in a relationship
with others that is an arena for making a difference. Rewards in
the contribution game are of a deep and enduring kind, though less
predictable than the trio of money, fame and power that accrue to
the winner of the success game. You never know what they will be,
or from where/whom they will come. Try it.
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