I want to start the week off by helping you wherever you lead. Below are lessons from the world of business, athletics, and the family. Regardless of where you practice your leadership, there is something here for you.
Let’s get started!
Southwest Airlines
This past week Southwest Airlines announced they were getting rid of its open seating policy. While this is being driven by the need to increase profits (of course), something else is driving the decision which all leaders can learn from.
Per the July 26th edition of Morning Brew, 80% of their travelers indicated they favored assigned seating. Furthermore, the number one reason they switched to a competitor was over the seating issue. It was time for a change.
Creativity and innovation come from the field, not the corporate office. When you speak directly with your customers, you learn their needs, concerns, and how to best serve them.
Executives should frequently come out of the comfort and safety of the corporate offices and spend time in the warehouse, plant, or store. That’s where they will discover their next great idea.
For more on this concept, read The Unfortunate Results of The Iceberg Of Ignorance.
The Power Of A Healthy Culture
On Saturday, July 27th, the New York Yankees traded three prospects to the Miami Marlins for second baseman and outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. This transaction reminded me of this article from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal prior to the trade.
He noted, “Some clubs are completely out on Chisholm because of his strong personality. Other clubs are attracted to his power-speed combination, not to mention his two additional years of club control…. Durability is a concern with Chisholm, who played in only 281 of a possible 486 games the previous three seasons, or 58 percent. But this season, he has appeared in 98 of the Marlins’ 101 games.”
Rosenthal added, “As for Chisholm’s makeup, one Marlins person said he would be fine in the right clubhouse — a more veteran clubhouse than the one Miami currently has. The Yankees, who have shown interest in Chisholm according to the New York Post, might be more willing than other clubs to absorb him.”
Many teams had concerns over two items – his strong personality and his durability. It appears Chisholm has addressed the issues with his health but it would take a strong, healthy, and veteran clubhouse to absorb his personality. Enter the New York Yankees.
The lessons for leaders is having a healthy culture allows you to take a chance on talented individuals with potential personality issues. Your culture will either force improvement, raising their performance to meet the environment, or force a self-selection out of the organization.
For more on the type of players who fit the New York Yankees culture, read the Aaron Judge article 8 Essential Attributes To Look For In A Potential Leader.
What You Do When No One Is Watching
I was recently speaking with a fellow grandparent who was taking care of their grandbaby one Sunday afternoon. Their daughter and son-in-law were worship leaders. The night prior to leading the congregation they were awaken at 3:00 AM by their daughter who just wanted to play.
Obviously, the timing was not ideal and as a result, they needed to sleep for a couple of hours the following afternoon. Enter the greatest babysitters in the world – the grandparents.
As I heard the story I had a thought. Anyone can play with their baby when they are in a good mood or in front of family and friends. But a measurement of parenting success is how well do you play with your baby when conditions are perfect, but at 3:00 AM when you are exhausted and barely awake?
Show me who does that well and I’ll show you someone who has a chance to be a quality parent.
In fact, show me any leader who serves others well when it’s not ideal and no one is watching, and I’ll show you someone who has a chance to be a quality leader.
For more on the subject of private performance, read the Mia Hamm article 14 Facts About How Your Private Life Determines Your Public Success.
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These quotes will take 15 minutes to read and a lifetime to apply. Let’s get started. You’re about to get smarter and better as a leader! #CommissionsEarned