10 Principles of personal leadership

My recent clients and friends know that I have gone all soft in my approach to leadership and management. While one should have strategies, plans, processes and systems in place, the starting point is people.

This morning, while walking my two schnauzers in a park, I listened to a very inspiring recorded discussion with Howard Behar, the former president of Starbucks, who wrote It’s Not About The Coffee – Leadership Lessons from a Life at Starbucks. Behar grew Starbucks from 28 stores to more than 400 stores by the time he was named president. Under his leadership, Starbucks opened its first location in Tokyo in 1996 and over the next three years he introduced the Starbucks brand across Asia and the United Kingdom. He retired in January 2003 and is now a much sought-after speaker on leadership.

I quote the 10 principles as formulated by this most interesting, experienced leader. Read these principles carefully and with some introspection, visit http://www.howardbehar.com/home.shtml and buy the book at your local bookshop or via the Internet:

1. Know Who You Are: Wear One Hat
Our success is directly related to our clarity and honesty about who we are, who we’re not, where we want to go, and how we’re going to get there. When organizations are clear about their values, purpose, and goals, they find the energy and passion to do great things.

2. Know Why You’re Here: Do It Because It’s Right, Not Because It’s Right for Your Resume
The path to success comes from doing things for the right reasons. You can’t succeed if you don’t know what you’re trying to accomplish and without everyone being aligned with the goal. Look for purpose and passion in yourself and the people you lead. If they’re not there, do something.

3. Think Independently: The Person Who Sweeps the Floor Should Choose the Broom
People are not “assets,” they are human beings who have the capacity to achieve results beyond what is thought possible. We need to get rid of rules–real and imagined–and encourage independent thinking in others and ourselves.

4. Build Trust: Care, like You Really Mean It
Caring is not a sign of weakness but rather a sign of strength, and it can’t be faked—within an organization, with the people we serve, or in the local or global community. Without trust and caring we’ll never know what could have been possible. Without freedom from fear, we can’t dream and we can’t reach our potential.

5. Listen for the Truth: The Walls Talk
Put the time into listening, even to what’s not said, and amazing results will follow. You’ll know what your customers want, you’ll know why the passion is missing from your organization, you’ll learn solutions to problems that have been sitting there waiting to be picked.

6. Be Accountable: Only the Truth Sounds like the Truth
No secrets, no lies of omission, no hedging and dodging. Take responsibility and say what needs to be said, with care and respect.

7. Take Action: Think like a Person of Action, and Act like a Person of Thought
Find the sweet spot of passion, purpose, and persistence. “It’s all about the people” isn’t an idea, it’s an action. Feel, think, do. Find the balance, but act.

8. Face Challenge: We Are Human Beings First
Use all the principles to guide you during the hardest times. If the challenge is too big, if you’re stuck, take smaller bites. But remember to put people first, and you’ll find the guidance you need.

9. Practice Leadership: The Big Noise and the Still, Small Voice
Leading can be the noisy, “I’m here!” kind of thing. But don’t ever forget that leaders are just ordinary human beings. Don’t let big noises crowd out the truth. Listen to your still, small voice. Let quiet be your guide.

10. Dare to Dream: Say “Yes,” the Most Powerful Word in the World
Big dreams mean big goals, big hopes, big joys. Say “yes” and enjoy all that you are doing, and help others to do the same.

I will be posting more on the topic of how astute MDs and managers assist people to rise to new heights and take their companies upwards with them.

Albert