By Doug Van Dyke, Leadership Simplified, www.leadershipsimplified.com
I fly a lot. Like most of you who travel, I recognize that TSA (aka: airport travel Nazis) is a joke. Since I enjoy observing people and am a student of human behavior, I am not annoyed by the airport security experience. Rather, I am entertained by the Keystone Cops manner in which TSA folks adhere to their rules and bureaucracy while attempting to herd completely competent people through a “safety system.” Marvelous! Based on my observations, if someone wanted to fly with a weapon or several ounces of toxic materials, they would find a way (okay, easily) to circumvent TSA’s gauntlet. This is despite our government spending millions of dollars on high-tech equipment that we travelers funnel through. In my view, it would make better sense to have a few, highly intelligent, observant people who are rich on common sense wandering around our airports and empowering them to use their wits in order to stop, question, and search suspicious characters. I would feel a lot safer if our airports were armed with more common sense and less x-ray equipment. You know, just by being observant of others and having a reasonably good head on your shoulders you can make it pretty far in life. And maybe even catch a few bad guys along the way.
So what does this have to do with leadership? The answer: A lot really.
Too often, I observe leaders who are caught up in the bureaucracy and rules of their companies. They blindly follow the written rules, sometimes to the detriment of individuals and even their organization. Now, make no mistake – I am not naïve. I realize that as soon as a group has more than two people you have bureaucracy. Also, rules are the bedrock of corporate structure. So I am not recommending the abandonment of order in favor of chaos. I merely believe that many leaders need to use their noodle more and act like, well, people. Here are three, common sense thoughts that come to my mind:
This is the best time ever to be in business. You read that right. We have broader markets (i.e., the globe), with more prospects, and more means to communicate. Note: social media is merely a collage of new communication methods for your message. Wow – we are lucky. We have a host of opportunities veiled in a swirl of change. Realize this leaders: opportunity is the companion of change. And who doesn’t desire more opportunities these days. As such, lead change; lead your team to opportunities; do it now.
Bottom Line: Use your common sense. While you are at it, scout out the people on your team with good heads on their shoulders, and cultivate them as leaders. The results will elevate the level of common good, and that ain’t a bad thing.
Doug Van Dyke is a leadership and communication consultant, executive coach, and business planner. His mom often complemented him for having a “darn good head on his shoulders.” Doug is also the author of Leadership Simplified – THE Field Guide for Savvy Leaders. Doug’s audios and videos are also available at www.leadershipsimplified.com. To learn more about consulting services, coaching, and training, or to have Doug speak at your next event, contact him today at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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