Successful Leaders Use the "3 R's" To WIN!

When I was but a wee lad growing up in New York City, I learned about the three R's: "Reading, Riting, and Rithmetic." This cute and memorable alliteration for "reading, writing, and arithmetic" was said to be the key to success in life. However, since traversing through the workforce, becoming a public speaker, entrepreneur, and life-long learner, I've had a chance to witness another set of "R's" which I believe are the foundational building blocks for successful leadership today. They are as follows:

Respect - Unfortunately, too many leaders today believe respect is a one-way street in which the 'traffic' only flows in their direction. These dictators of the corporate world are in essence, schoolyard bullies who simply got older; they are workplace bullies who use their position and power to intimidate and manipulate their employees instead of encouraging and empowering them.

Successful leaders understand and respect the value of human capital, and do all within their power to create a culture which embraces diversity, encourages independent thinking (where appropriate), and appreciates what each member of the team brings to the office.

They respect their teams enough to intimately and effectively share their corporate vision with, and welcome input from, C-level team members to custodial engineers. Their management style is not epitomized by a whip and a club, but by a handshake and a smile. As Jim Collins puts it in his bestselling book "Good to Great":

We were surprised, shocked really, to discover the type of leadership required for turning a good company into a great one. Compared to high-profile leaders with big personalities who make headlines and become celebrities, the good-to-great leaders seem to have come from Mars. Self-effacing, quiet, reserved, even shy - these leaders are a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will. They are more like Lincoln and Socrates than Patton or Caesar."

(Preview the book HERE)

Responsiveness - Here is another trait lost upon wayward leaders. To be responsive means more than just acknowledging a comment, idea, proposal, or report. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary provides the following as a succinct working definition of responsiveness: "reacting in a desired or positive way."

What most employees seek in the way of a response from leadership is not necessarily unabated agreement to everything they propose, but at the very least they'd like a non-threatening exchange of ideas.

Successful leaders respond positively to employee ideas (even the "bad" ones) because they understand the value of having workers who are at least making an effort to help the company, or organization grow. They take the time to provide the kind of feedback which helps employees see the issue from management's vantage point and creates an atmosphere which invites creativity and innovation.

Recognition - This trait comes in two flavors. First, there is the act of recognizing and appreciating what I call the "T.A.G.S." of the team being led. This acronym stands for: Talents, Abilities, Gifts, and Skills. Next, is the act of bestowing accolades or praise as appropriate. So many leaders today seem to deem recognition (in either form) as unnecessary, or even forbidden. However, like that stoic college professor, or high school teacher who vowed never to give an "A," they have it all wrong.

Successful leaders understand that recognition goes a long way in moving an organization towards success. Their ability to treat all employees, team members, etc., as allies and not foes, ignites the fire which is, or becomes the passion for the job or task at hand.

I'll never forget my experience with one of the best leaders I've had the opportunity to work with. I was hired as a contract trainer on a huge U.S. Department of Justice contract. As I sat through one of the orientation sessions, I realized there was (what I believed to be) a vital component missing from the overall plan. Mind you, this was a mega multi-million dollar effort spanning all 50 states and Puerto Rico. I was:

• One of the last trainers hired
• Not a direct report
• Virtually new to the industry

Yet, I was given space to air my concerns. Ultimately, I was assigned a small team and tasked with creating a proposal for my idea. My team was invited to make our presentation to the stakeholders, which we did. Our proposal called for additional funding of $1 million, as well as a shift in how (the entire team) would achieve our deliverables. It was approved! Our project was:

• a huge success (me and my team were formally recognized for our contribution)
• completed ahead of schedule
• completed under budget

Thankfully, I found myself paired with a leadership team unafraid to try something different. As well, they were willing to acknowledge a good idea despite my "rookie" status. That experience taught me a valuable lesson about recognition that many American leaders have yet to learn.

In their bestselling books, "Contented Cows Give Better Milk" and "Contented Cows Still Give Better Milk," Bill Catlette and Richard Hadden, positively make the case that "treating people right is one of the best things any business can do for its bottom line." Both books explain the dynamic that a positive employee experience is directly related to a positive customer experience. In fact, studies have shown the employee-manager relationship is the #1 reason for employee dissatisfaction within corporate america. (Preview the book HERE)

Chron.com business writer Louise Balle, offers sound, practical advice for those who strive to better understand the consequences of the employer-employee relationship in an article HERE.

With the advent of the Internet, the business world shrank dramatically. Access to choices abound for employees and customers alike. Leaders who do not understand or respect this truth, eventually find themselves to be leaders of none.

In the words of the well-known proverb..."a word to the wise is sufficient!"

If you would like William Craig, III, to inspire your group through a keynote or workshop, send and email to: YourTrainerAndCoach@gmail.com .

"Helping You Go From Where You Are To Where You Want To Be!"