Alan Weiss’s Monday Morning Memo® – 12/19/11

December 19, 2011

Alan Weiss’s Monday Morning Memo® – 12/19/11

December 19, 2011—Issue #117

This week’s focus point: I’m writing this deliberately before the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots meet in a football game later today. If Denver quarterback Tim Tebow is on the winning side, with a record of 7-1 to this point, at 8-1 people will say he’s the “real thing” since the Patriots are a strong team. If he loses, all of his detractors will say, “I told you so.” But do you know what he’ll be properly called if his team loses? He’ll be called 7-2, still pretty fine! Leadership doesn’t have to be technically perfect. Leaders from Grant at Vicksburg to Welch at GE have made errors, and plenty of them. Leaders don’t have to charm people. Steve Jobs seldom did. Leadership is seldom about hierarchical position, expertise, or the ability to reward and punish. It’s about “referent power”: I admire you, believe in you, and intend to follow you. That results in commitment and not mere compliance. And it means ignoring the detractors who can’t even play the game.

Monday Morning Perspective: A man blowing a trumpet successfully is a rousing spectacle. — Rhys Davies (Welsh writer)

You may subscribe and encourage others to subscribe by clicking HERE.

Privacy statement: Our subscriber lists are never rented, sold, or loaned to any other parties for any reason.

Contact information: [email protected]
http://www.contrarianconsulting.com
ISSN 2151-0091

I remember a meeting with a boutique consulting firm that had fallen on hard times. The debate was whether or not to sell their magnificent conference table. “Where would clients sit?” asked one partner. “We have no clients,” stated the advocate of selling. You can’t cut your way to renewal or success. Top line growth is the key to bottom line achievement, for you and for your clients. Today is the time to invest in the future. Once you cut muscle, you’re powerless.