Unaverage Leadership

Take The Leap

Life is boring, work is boring, you are stuck in a rut and need some new excitement.  This is when it may be time to take a flying leap into unknown territory. Quit thinking and do it.

I am sure you have heard at work that it is time for change, yet nothing really ever changes.   If you want to see significant change in your organization, then get started with action.  Getting employees doing vs. thinking, will create quicker change. I am a big believer in planning and thinking things through, but do not get the "analysis paralysis" disease or in simple terms "all talk and no show".  Getting employees involved in the change that will impact their work days will get you much higher buy in and less skepticism.

No matter what area you want to change in your business - get your employees involved will produce better results.  Please remember to be patient, give them ample time, and be the cheerleader not the impatient leader of old.

Be the leader that takes the leap first, gives the tools to the organization to do the same, and then gets out of the way of the tsunami of creativity and energy that will be unleashed.

The Purposeful Company

The business world gets crazier every day - stock markets going nuts, banks on the brink of closing, wondering if our 401k accounts will be around for retirement and politicians worrying about lipstick on a pig!  It causes one to reflect on life and examine why do we do the things we do.

Since we spend most of lives at work, does it not make sense that we find purpose and meaning at work.  Even better, that the company we are employed at is purposeful in its business.  Yes, that purpose has more meaning than the all mighty dollar (with the understanding that business success comes from a profit - I think we all know this).

I just recently heard my good friend Kim Jordan, the founder and CEO of New Belgium Brewing (Fat Tire Beer), once again speak to the fact that purposeful organizations do exist.  New Belgium is based on three fundamental issues that center on purpose:

• Stewardship of the environment
• Promoting beer culture
• Having fun

There is much more to the purpose based beliefs of New Belgium, but Kim boiled them down to these three.  In just 19 years it has become the third largest craft brewer in the U.S.

This is a company of 300 employee owners that twice a year participates in the strategic planning process (a fact - I attended one several years ago), ownership is shared with the employees and ideas are encouraged and acted upon.  They have instilled a higher purpose for business and in doing so, have created a place where individuals can pursue a higher purpose through the work environment.

There are other companies that have done the same or more.  The key is that they are engaging their employees in running a business for a purpose bigger than the founder, the CEO or the managers.  By focusing on a higher purpose it takes away the stigma of working for "the man" and gives meaning to work.

I know it works; I was a part of a company that did the same.  I encourage you to ponder the thought of running a purposeful company instead of business.  Good luck!

Plan For Business Succession

Business succession is a part of the natural business cycle.  If it is done right, a huge influx of new energy and ideas can be created.  The unfortunate facts are that far too many owners/businesses are not ready for the succession process and this leaves many employees holding their heads pondering an uncertain future.

Many owners and CEOs of businesses are wrapped up in the identity of the business to the point that if they leave, there becomes a serious personal identity crisis.  They have given their all to the business and there are strong emotions that play into their leaving the business.  This is one of the key barriers to any conversation that pertains to a business transition. It is more powerful than getting their money, who will replace them, or even the future of the business.

It is never to early to start the discussion of business succession.  The planning and preparation can take years and the more it is discussed openly the easier it is on everyone.  Do not wait for the bus to run you over - start the discussions today, put it on paper and make it legally binding so the process does not get put off.  If you can not do it yourself or internally, then find resources that can help you through the process.  Remember that you have a lot of employees counting on you to do it right so they can continue to have a bright future in the business.