I met a manager, a really good manager.
He told me he runs the business.
He underlined ‘runs’.

I asked him to explain his emphasis.

He said; “I run my business, some simply manage.”

Think about it.

Here’s a hint – ‘proactive/reactive’

If you are in the service or hospitality business you must lead by example.
That’s internally, externally and consistently.

If you are a leader in hospitality but don’t treat your suppliers the same way as your customers – what will that say?

Inconsistent perhaps?

If you are inconsistent, you may just be an ‘inconsistent brand’.
If you are not consistent, you won’t be a brand.
Well, a brand that’s in demand.

Treat your suppliers as partners, not the enemy.
Just like customers, they talk too.

What do you think they are saying right now?

The World Cup is throwing up lots of management styles.
The players respond accordingly.

One, Maradona, is being relaxed, free flowing and fun.
Now look at how his players are playing.
The second, our near neighbour, is being a little autocratic.
Now look at how his players are playing.

Why don’t you take an armchair look at yourself and analyse your style.
Better still, see how your players are playing.

That might just tell you.

Leadership includes leading by example.
Leadership, for our damaged nation, means being seen to do the right thing.
Leadership is about sacrifice, example and an unselfish approach for the greater good.
The opposites of all of the above do nothing but destroy the fabric of society.
More importantly, as we try to rebuild a delicate reputation, what message does our new European Commissioner give when she refuses to even discuss her overflowing pension cup?
I thought we lived in a democracy.
I thought we appointed leaders.
I assumed our leaders would do the right thing.
Clearly there are parallel values at work.
I think that’s called “one rule for you, another for me”.
How little we have learnt.
How sad.

This country is running out of money.
The Opposition keep crying “Bad idea”.
Some Dreamers keep asking for “More money”.
But worst of all, some ‘Leaders’ are misbehaving.

Leadership is a combination of many qualities.
Integrity, Vision, Listening, Learning and Doing The Right Thing.

Did I say “Doing The Right Thing”?

The Union Leaders did not get their way in the Budget discussions.
The Government could not give what does not exist.
The Unions threw toys and threats everywhere.
Furrowed brows, somber tones darkened their commentary.

They retreated to plan their ‘next move’
It came as no surprise.
It was the inevitable call to action, strike action.

If your Leader is about to lead you over the edge, will you follow?
If your leader is not really doing what is right for your country, will you follow?

More importantly, if your union leader is not doing what is right for you, will you still follow.

When strikes are over, our reputation internationally flawed and our coffers empty ask yourself just one question.

“When you lose your job because industry was blocked, will your leader be out of work just like you?”

Somehow unlikely.
It’s easy to throw stones, sacrifice others and look brave ……. From the comfort of a big leather chair.

Tread carefully. Decide wisely.
Sometimes appointed leaders turn out to be flawed thinkers.

I’m not sure we resist change.
I am sure we resist loss.

Change is constant
Loss is not.

Change is also the natural evolution of life and any journey.
Change brings peaks and valleys.

Loss goes deeper.
It can threaten our nest, our comfort zone and our territory.

To lead people successfully you must understand that a resistance to change is often a resistance to loss.

When you relate it to change that has been forced on you, it will begin to make sense.

In a world of gale force winds, take time to understand just how your people (your friends and family too) feel when there is a change that equals a loss.

If you do that you will bring them with you …. And you will extinguish the fear – of loss.

Imagine a luxurious Liner.
Sun shining, easy music, cocktails galore.
Merry moods and happy days.

Imagine a Buffet overflowing with treats.
“Help yourself, I insist”
Imagine a Bar bulging with drinks?
“Please, I insist, have another, feel free”

Imagine storm clouds, cold waters and a change of mood.
Dark clouds, no more music, drops of ice cold rain.

Imagine a Government full of money.
Imagine a Government who blew it all.

Imagine being asked if it was your responsibility?
Imagine the answer?

When I was a kid We used to say
“Own up”

Now that I’m an adult I realize they never will.

Now imagine what a real Leader should be?
Compare that to a Pirate?

Interesting answer?

Emily Dowling is one of my great friends.
Emily is also one of Ireland’s best athletics coaches.
As a former Marathon winner and International Athlete Emily knows a thing or two about running.

Mick Dowling is one of my best friends too. He married Emily. He knows a thing or two about boxing. Two Olympics and too many titles to mention, theirs is a roll call of enormous athletic achievement.

Today they pass on their passion, their compassion and their experience. Both coach, both lead, both are followed by legions of aspiring athletes.

A great coach is just like a great manager – ‘tough but fair’
Emily and Mick are exactly that.

A lifetime devoted to excellence, goals and sheer hard work does not tolerate second best, easy or giving up.

It was a horrible wet, muddy day. Cold, windy, dreary.
It was a big race and we just about fielded a full team.
Our leading athlete turned up, his head turned down.
He simply didn’t want to race.

He summoned up his courage to confront the coach.

“I can’t race today Emily, I’m dying.”

Emily scanned him quickly and reached her verdict just as fast.
Her quick mind, sharp wit and clear instructions sealed his fate.
This is what she said;

“You are dying? Well, put on your spikes and die up front.”

Now apply that to your business!

It’s easy, convenient even, to label people.
Industry does it, the military, religion, everyone.
He’s a Barber, a Lieutenant, a Bishop.
That’s fine to describe a role.
Not fine if you use it to define the person.
It’s easy to allow one to become the other.

If we label people we often treat them accordingly.
If we do that we deny who they are.
If we deny them we limit them.

Good leadership does the opposite of labeling.
Great leadership looks beyond and sees potential.
Potential, carefully harnessed, benefits you, them and your cause.

Next time you window shop at people, look deeper.
Look beyond the price.
Look beyond the label.

Inevitably the easy way will not be the right way.
Inevitably the right way will be the tough way.
Most mountains are worth climbing.
It’s easy not to. Easy to hear about the view.
That’s why most people opt for easy and leaders climb mountains.

In a new world easy can also mean avoid.
Easy is saying what people want to hear.
Avoid is telling them the truth.

Truth builds trust.
Trust builds longevity.
In a new world, trust is scarce.

If you want to win new business, or even new friends.
Tell the truth.
Avoid avoiding.
Don’t do easy.

It will reward you in the long run
(Assuming you are in for the long run!)