The other day I was on an executive leadership coaching session. During the call the leader asked me how he could fill others buckets (the act of appreciating, recognizing and rewarding employees) when his was so empty? This is a great question.
leader
These last two weekends I have had the opportunity to play Mr. Mom, and I mean big time Mr. Mom with five of my eight kids (15 year old girl and boys that are 12, 9, 6 and 4). I’m not use to it, but it has been an experience I wouldn’t mind having more (but nobody tell my wife that). Not because I enjoy dealing with every sibling squabble, washing every dirty dish, delegating chores or even making sure everyone gets off to school without a hitch at four different times!
I recently read an article in the Harvard Business Blog on four star general and former US top commander in Afghanistan David D. McKiernan. He was recently replaced and forced out (fired) by a new commander, General Stanley McChrystal. Basically the article states that General McKiernan was “old school” (though he was generally recognized for having done an outstanding job) and not up to speed as his predecessor in diplomatic skills, press savviness, international politics and so forth. The question I have to ask is how General McKiernan became “old school?”
I have been watching a reality show lately titled “The Deadliest Catch.” Now, I am not a big TV watcher; there really isn’t much that appeals to me. But this show is different. For some reason I am glued to it. Maybe it’s the risk these fishermen take with below 0 temperatures, 70 foot waves, little sleep and lots of equipment that can take your head off – literally. Or maybe it’s just simply the sport of fishing. But I think it is most likely the lessons in teamwork.
Managers that make the effort to build relationships with their employees are able to harvest the power that comes from their greatest asset – people.
