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Lessons in Leadership Accentuate the positive Each of us creates most of the conditions that surround us By Robert L. Bailey
Following is a portion of a letter I recently received from a Rough Notes reader: Mr. Bailey, frankly I’m disgusted. You say that the imperial boss is out of style, but I don’t see much evidence of that. At what point [can] … the ownership … [say] “I’m paying my employees enough? I need to buy that lake house or vacation more in Europe. A 6,000-square-foot house is not big enough. I need 9,000.” Is the only means of protest to quit your job? I was told in the mid-1960s, while in college, that it wouldn’t be long before we would all be working less than 40 hours a week, would have at least four weeks’ vacation, and we would all be retired by 55. Today two weeks of vacation is pretty standard, and the retirement age will probably soon move to 70. The imperial bosses, like the kings of the 16th and 17th centuries, have amassed fortunes at the expense of the working class. The gap between the rich and the poor is widening as the Enron and HealthSouth scandals continue. What’s a poor working guy to do? Let’s see if I can address some of this reader’s concerns. While every workplace is unique—and it sounds like this fellow perceives his workplace as being not very progressive—there is significant evidence that the imperial boss is indeed going out of style. Boards of directors are beginning to recognize that celebrity leaders, and those who rule by threat and intimidation, will not provide the quality of leadership that corporations require. Instead, the leaders who are moving up in corporations are those who treat employees as equals, who treat people as the leader himself or herself would like to be treated, and who are not interested in feeding their super-sized egos. Today’s truly outstanding leaders are building teams of spirited, high-morale, committed people who are achieving outstanding results. Is the problem completely solved? Not by a long shot according to a Gallup survey. Some 70% of employees say that their leaders do not communicate with them, do not call them by name, and rule by threat and intimidation. The survey found that 65% of workers over the past year haven’t received a single word of praise or recognition for their work. Solving the problem will be a slow process. Most things that are worthwhile in life don’t occur overnight. The American way I too am offended when a CEO is paid millions of dollars a year and does not achieve acceptable performance—or achieves performance only at the expense of employee layoffs and mistreatment of employees. Yet, I do not object when corporate leaders, like professional athletes or performers, make huge sums of money if all constituencies benefit. I’m not sure that Tiger Woods is worth millions of dollars a year, but the market thinks so. He has a skill that few can duplicate. Tiger’s income is determined by the American people—people who watch golf tournaments on television, people who attend tournaments, and people who buy products Tiger endorses. That’s the way it works for all of us in a free enterprise economy—and that’s the way it should work. Certainly the companies involved in corporate scandals should be appropriately punished. Keep in mind, however, that these are the exceptions. I believe that the majority of corporate leaders in America are working hard to meet payroll and provide excellent products and service to customers and do so legally and ethically. It’s the bad apples that make the news. The ethical performers seldom do. Ours is the only economic system in the world that has succeeded. My wife and I have traveled extensively, and I can say without reservation that the American dream is the ideal in many countries—with the possible exception of America itself, where many people do not understand the vast opportunities that exist in this country. While it’s hard to do if you feel unappreciated, don’t complain about the wealth of others. To destroy the wealth of some does not increase the wealth of the rest of us. Those who run companies take the greatest risks and pay the preponderance of taxes in this country, make substantial contributions to worthwhile charities, and create jobs for the rest of us. Rather than look at how unfair your boss is, ask yourself, “What can I do to contribute to greater business success? What can I do to make my talent more valuable?” A person who thinks in this manner will be successful. I, too, remember 40-plus years ago when the future promised shorter workweeks and longer vacations. The French tried to create more jobs by limiting the workweek to 35 hours. Instead, they drove employers out of the country since their costs were too high to compete in the world market. Because of their depressed economy, the French recently changed that law. During my corporate days, it was an unusual week that I did not work 80 hours. It was not that I was forced to do so; I chose to because I loved what I was doing. Overwhelmingly successful people have tended to do things they love to do. I’m not suggesting that you or any other reader work a certain number of hours. Each person must look at his or her own set of priorities and make that decision. In my experience, however, I know of no one who has made more than a living by working just 40 hours a week. I’ve found that people must do something worthwhile until they die. It’s not a matter of money. It’s a matter of being challenged, involved and interested in the world around us. All happy, healthy humans need a worthwhile mission beyond themselves. I would tell the reader who wrote to me: You may indeed have an “imperial boss.” Many people do. I’ve had several myself. But I lived through it and learned a lot in the process. You may wish to look elsewhere for employment, but I doubt that that is the answer. I have a sneaking suspicion that you may be bringing about some of your own problems and will end up with another “imperial boss” should you make an employment move. Accentuate the positive So, what’s a working guy (or gal) to do? May I suggest that you start today to become more positive. Read something positive and inspirational every day. In my personal library I have some five feet of shelves devoted to books on inspiration and positive thinking, and read something positive and/or inspirational every day. It’s one way I stay above the pessimism that is thrust on all of us by a negative media and by so many negative people we tend to encounter in our day-to-day activities. Make no negative comments about anybody or anything, at home or at work. It takes a little practice, but you can do it. And when you’re able to do it, I’m willing to bet your career opportunities will brighten. People who rise to the top of their employment fields are generally able to rise above the negative forces all around them and concentrate on the things within their power to control, not on things they cannot control. Consider how you can better serve your employer. How can you become more valuable? How can you serve customers better? Are you willing to go the extra mile to serve others—always with a smile and a positive attitude? Our American free enterprise system is so great and envied throughout the world because every single individual has an incentive to achieve whatever he or she wants to achieve. Create your own set of goals and start moving toward them. But don’t expect fast results. Of the very successful people I know, their “overnight success” required many years of hard work. With a more positive, helpful attitude, you may find that your “imperial boss” is not quite as imperial and your current job offers more opportunities than you had once thought. Each of us creates most of the condi-tions that surround us. You can start improving those conditions today. * The author |
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