One of the biggest challenges coming up amongst colleagues today is how to manage the external noise that is inbound…from social media, from conversations, from the uncertainty of third parties etc etc. It is a continued challenge as we try to keep people focused and decide what priorities are in a time challenged world.
A while ago we got a great response about our talk to former Navy SEALS and Special Forces leaders on how to build one’s voice and amplify what they have done as leaders into the workplace as they reach their next step in life away from the rigors, and the secrecy, of their heroic work for their country.
I found that talk as I was scrolling back re-reading some things for class;
Like what we talked about with these elite service people, we also talk to a lot of students about how to get jobs and internships, and one of the keys in business is talk about what YOU can do and how you can help grow a company with your skills. It is counterintuitive to many, but in a world where people constantly are looking for attention, it is a necessity that needs to be tactfully exploited in the narrative that develops.
One of the best places we see this is in team sports, where coaches and executives are many times fined for talking about OTHERS. The concentration is on your team, your players, your duties. Let the others talk about themselves if they want, and let them do the comparison. For us, it’s what can we do to get better and help grow the pie.
When going out into the workforce, it really easy to get caught in the gossip publicly. However one of the things we kept going back to in conversations last week was to keep the flow moving about your skills and getting stuff done. Don’t talk about other candidates or business in the space. Even if asked bring the conversation back to advancing your qualities; what your competitors do should not be part of the conversation.
Coaches rarely, and shouldn’t, talk about other teams players or skills or strategy. One coach we worked with, Larry Brown, rarely mentioned the other team at all. His feeling was we will dictate to them, they have to adjust to us, so lets worry about us and what we do, not them.
Yet in the big business of politics, fueled by corporate America and big deal donors very successful in business, it is many times the opposite. It is more about demeaning your opponent, talking about him or her and saying how terrible they are vs what you can do. That’s not just for the larger political races, it now bleeds over into big business narratives as well, or even the local school board.
Leadership was discussed on so many levels last week in our talk, and it is worthwhile raising again as we just passed Veteran’s Day.
Maybe when investing dollars and time in candidates or personnel big business should think about their own hiring process and how leadership got there. Did they want to grow their business or just crap on everyone else? What should work in business, and for young people going into the hiring world as well as for these vets we met last week, should be the way in politics times TEN.
Isn’t that what true leaders do at every level? They should not demean, they should build up. Holds true no matter where you are or what you do. Here’s how I can help, and on Veterans Day, when we honor those who have helped selflessly, it is worth pointing out yet again. Thanks to all who help us point the way forward without belittling those around them. Say what you do, and do what you say.
