Three Minute Leadership – The Invisible World That Leaders Create
To: The Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning
Edgar Schein, former professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management who is generally credited with inventing the term ‘corporate culture’ writes: “If you do not manage culture, it manages you, and you may not even be aware of the extent to which this is happening.” This quote was the headline of another wonderful leadership reflection in this month’s note from the Leadership Forward Team, founded by Tom Hiebert, renowned leadership guru and consultant.
It provides great leaders the opportunity to reflect on how their choices, behaviors and actions impact their organizations. In a broader sense it also invites them to ask them to apply these same questions to their personal life and work in the communities in which they serve. Pause briefly as you read this wonderful reflection, and see the world your actions and those around you are creating.
Reflection: Think about the culture of your organization and the choices that you and other leaders are making:
What are you paying attention to? What is being ignored?
What are you role modeling?
What are you promoting and rewarding?
What are you punishing and devaluing?
How do you behave in moments of high stress and adversity?
“Life is the sum of all your choices” wrote Albert Camus, 20th century French author. “It is the big choices we make that set our direction. It is the smallest choices we make that get us to the destination.” writes Dr. Shad Helmstetter, author. Each of these choices have consequences and implications, intended or unintended – on organizations, families, communities. May you always take those brief moments to reflect on your actions and choices…that you will learn from them, and grow to be more than you ever dreamed you could be.
Have a beautiful day and an incredible week!!!
Mike