Playing It Safe Isn’t … Safe

I’m the un-proud owner of five residential units. These properties have never cash-flowed and they continue to deteriorate as it becomes yet another residence for yet another college student. Over the past two years, I’ve just been riding this money pit, waiting for an economic revival. Still waiting.

As I wait, I’ve tried to do as little as possible. Pay for maintenance only when the maintenance problem is life-threatening. Shrubs? Ha! Not a chance. But my lack of attention to these properties is starting to show. My competition is passing me by as they have better yards, brighter colors, and new amenities.

Over the past two years, with my properties, I was playing defense – protecting my position and my cash, doing as little work and as little harm as possible.

But my strategy is now shifting. If I continue to play defense, my properties will collapse (not literally, buy maybe). I need to look for ways to be more relevant and more attractive to potential customers. I’ve got to learn to compete again. I’m starting to spend again in order to make money. While that was uncomfortable a year ago, it’s absolutely necessary now.

It’s time to get aggressive, to play offense in business, to move from protection to progression. Those who are unable to shift from a defensive to an offensive mindset will find themselves significantly behind the competition as we grow closer to the rebound.

In order to shift to this offensive mindset in business, it will be important to become opportunity-minded – curious about our potential, evaluating the quality of our position, forward thinking and visionary, and courageous. Yes, spending money in a cash crunch environment takes courage.

Interestingly enough, our initial findings from the Champions ECChO assessment (www.championseccho.com) reveal that the opportunity-minded principle has the lowest average scores of all of the core principles of a champion as well as the smallest spread of scores.

Core Principle #1 – Enlightened: Avg. enlightenment score = 69%
Core Principle #2 – Connected: Avg. connected score = 72%
Core Principle #3 – Change-Maker: Avg. change-maker score = 73%
Core Principle #4 – Opportunity-Minded: Avg. opp-minded score = 68%

Those findings may have developed as a result of our difficult business environment. In a difficult business environment, defensive minds prevail. However, I encourage you to shift your mindset:

1. Grow your curiosity
2. Cast a new vision
3. Develop the courage to begin to take more risks

Onward!

Tags: bold, brave, business, challenge, downturn, economic, Leadership, offense, vision

Are the Best Leaders Likeable?

Business Pundit recently put out, yet, another article that suppresses the ideal of a charismatic CEO. Regarding the hiring of charismatic CEO’s, Business Pundit states, “It’s an attractive ideal that often results in disaster.”

I’m amazed at how often charisma is painted as a bad trait for CEO’s and executives. Editors and consultants are constantly highlighting the stories of the steadiest, unemotional and guarded CEO’s. We have labeled the best leaders as true book smart-academic-analyzers who are unable or unwilling to connect, socially.

Does guarded mean smart? Is a smart person unwilling or unable to connect socially? No. But in society, we love to label, and labels often stick – to our detriment.

There is no question that the most extraordinary leaders, smart or not, are likeable. And likeability isn’t represented by popularity seekers or political glad-handers. Likeability is represented by those who are genuine, trusted, inspiring, interesting, bold, vulnerable, and serving.

Compare these records:

In comparison, the likeable leaders were much more successful. Guarded CEO, Frank Lorenzo, led Continental Airlines into bankruptcy while Southwest Airlines thrives. Jerry Yang, the founder of Yahoo! was fired by the board because he was a passionless leader who was unable to connect. Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos connects to hundreds of thousands of people on the hour. Emotionally charged and transparent, Bill Walsh won three Super Bowls while Paul Brown won none. Both of these coaches competed for the same job in Cincinnati. Brown was hired because he was more guarded than was Walsh. Most of us know the amazing story behind humble man Sam who was often photographed on one knee surrounded by Wal-Mart associates. Contrast Sam with William Dillard II who is in constant battles with his executive board.

Likeability, approachability, charisma are important attributes for today’s leaders. Why? Because good PR plans can’t spin rotten personalities anymore. We are all the media, and words and reputations travel fast. Today, we are easily exposed.

If the CEO isn’t liked, the product brand is likely not liked.

Research supports the charisma argument as emotional intelligence quotient (EQ) is proving to be a far better predictor of success than intellectual quotient (EQ).

So how can you increase your likeability? Below are a few tips.

1. Know who you are and be that person. Don’t pitch yourself as something you’re not. Be authentic, genuine and consistent.
2. Fully invest in others. Make deposits in them, not just withdrawals.
   1. Know what people are great at and celebrate them often.
   2. Know what makes them come alive and enable more of those opportunities.
   3. Respect their unique style even though it might be different than yours.
3. Check your motives. Don’t pursue purely selfish motives. But rather, pursue mutual benefit, always.
4. Inspire others by taking more time to be inspired yourself. Invest in opportunities that stretch you emotionally and spiritually.
5. Do the right thing.

Tags: approachable, bold, CEO, charisma, emotional, EQ, geniune, inspiring, intelligence, interesting, leader, likeable, service, serving, trusted, vulnerable