Leadership in business – Leaders take care of their people
May 10, 2015
Jerry Bellune
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In the past, the leader was an unquestioned boss.
Don’t like his style? Too bad. Quit or shut up.
With high unemployment, some bosses still act like that.
Bad mistake. Talented people will go somewhere else.
All you’ll have left are weaklings and butt kissers.
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Today’s leaders must be partners with their people.
You can’t bully your people into serving your clients well.
Write this down and put it where you will see it daily:
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Your people will treat clients
the way you treat them
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It is just that simple.
Mistreat them and they will take it out on others.
Treat them well and that’s how they’ll treat your clients.
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Think of leadership in terms of nuclear physics.
We want to bring our people to critical mass.
This is a metaphor for empowering your people.
Give them the tools and authority to take personal initiative.
The Ritz-Carlton hotels empower all their people.
They can spend up to $1,000 on a client’s wants and needs.
And they can do it without prior approval.
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Top-down managers assume all knowledge is at the top.
You’ve worked in organizations like that.
They’re not much fun but they get things done.
Mussolini made the Italian trains run on time.
His people hated and killed him — and hung him in Milan.
Hitler came to a similar end — but by his own hands.
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Douglas McGregor offered two management theories:
• Theory X was top-down command and control.
Check your brains at the door. We tell you what to do.
• Theory Y recognizes that creativity exists at all levels.
You only need to encourage, promote and respect it.
Then the Japanese developed Theory Z.
Take care of your people and they will take care of you.
Theory Y and Theory Z leaders attract real talent.
Their leaders show appreciation, recognition and respect.
Their people look forward to coming to work.
They bust their derrières for leaders like that.
They even come to love them and the work they share.
Smart owners welcome innovation and leadership.
Those who don’t become overwhelmed by competition.
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Recommended reading
Would you like more leadership strategies like this?
Contact me for my latest leadership book.
It’s called “What It Costs to Be the Boss.”
You’ll discover 19 secrets of great leaders.
Your people’s productivity will reach new heights.
Just email me at [email protected]
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Next: Leaders take care of themselves.
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Want to share this with a friend? Be my guest.
We only ask that you tell them where it came from.
Invite them to send me their email address.
They can reach me at [email protected]
I’ll email this strategy letter to them each week.
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©2015 The Bellune Company, Inc.
Neither MidlandsBiz.com nor The Bellune Company, Inc. makes any warranty as to the results that may be achieved from using this information. ©2015 The Bellune Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Requests for permission to reprint or circulate may be obtained by emailing [email protected]
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