You have to be honest and authentic and not hide. I think the leader today has to demonstrate both transparency and vulnerability, and with that comes truthfulness and humility. ~ Howard Schultz
Years back, I recall taking a personality trait assessment as part of a workshop with a group of CEOs. Our responses were compared in a single chart to each other and to those of a “model CEO,” a Jack Welch-like character who had all the traits the workshop host thought represented the ideal CEO.
In reviewing the data, most of the CEOs in the room were grouped together and on the right side of the axis. By “right side” I mean on the side of the axis with the model CEO. A few of us were outliers and, although I don’t recall exactly where I was relative to the others in my group, when she got to discussing my particular results and found out the business I was in, her comment to me was:
You must drink a lot when you get home.
Ummm….check?
After the laughter died down, the host explained the results didn’t mean I couldn’t do the job I was in, rather, I was going to have to work really hard to be good at it.
On reflection, her assessment was spot on. The fact is I have had to work hard to improve in my role as Evaero’s CEO and, while I’ll never be a “model CEO” in the vein of someone like Jack Welch, I’m much better at my job than when I started.
This prompted me to think back on some of those who have helped me improve. It’s interesting to note that those who have helped me the most have tended to be folks with whom, on the surface at least, I have very little in common – furthering my theme of last week’s article on appreciating opposing voices. Over the course of the next few posts, I’ll share some of the things I’ve learned from them along the way.
Until then, how about some music for the Manufacturing Peace of Mind™ Spotify playlist? I just returned from a quick business trip to Oregon so it seems appropriate to pass along some music from the area. There is so much to choose from but I’m thinking a song from Portugal. The Man will leave things on an upbeat note. Here they are with their song “Feel it Still.”
Cheers…xian
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