The latest "trendy" initiatives may superficially appear as effective, but most of these efforts are no more fulfilling than "hollow calories" are good for an individual's body...
Sir Issac Newton is known for his "Laws of Physics." These laws transcend motion and if appropriately interpreted apply to management also...really! They do!
I know what you are thinking...this guy is a nut! Give me a chance and read on!
Let's take Newton's 3 "Laws" one at a time and see how they apply to 21st century management...
Law #1 - A body at rest will stay at rest, unless it is acted upon by an external force...
Newton recognized that if mass is sitting still, it requires an outside force to set it in motion.
A Great Leader also recognizes that people, processes and technology will stay where they (or it) is at unless it is set in motion. A great leader also is keenly aware that misdirected force will set those entities in the wrong direction.
Leaders do not sit and wait for a body to move...they are the outside force that sets the entities into motion. I have seen far too many so-called leaders wait for the mountain to move...it isn't going to...unless acted upon...
Ask Newton!
Law #2 - A body in motion will stay in motion and travel in that linear path, unless acted upon by an external force...
Newton recognized that if a body is moving in a specific direction, it will continue in that direction, unless an external force diverts it.
A Great Leader recognizes that once motivated a team has been set into motion and will continue in that direction unless acted upon by external forces. The same holds true for processes and technology! Great leader's see no need for micro-managing a team...or continual motivation sessions...that is wasted energy...
A Great Leader expends his/her energy on blocking the forces which may divert a team from its course. Great Leaders also recognize that energy expended within the team may actually divert it or slow its progress...
I have watched many leaders fail because they poorly understood the real role as a leader. They felt that they had to tie themselves to the ship and became nothing more than an anchor...
Law #3 - For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction...(This is the one we always remember!)
Newton recognized that force in one direction creates motion in the opposite direction.
Great Leaders are keenly aware of "when push comes to shove!" The harder one pushes a team...the harder they will push back. Leaders pull...why?
Recognizing the affect that gravity has on the natural world...a leader knows the value of a pull!
Recapitulation...
The Leader has set the team in the appropriate direction and can clearly see that if unimpeded...they will meet objectives...Law #1 fulfilled and appropriately utilized...
The Leader then diverts his/her attention to ensuring that no external forces adversely impact the speed or direction of the team...Law #2 fulfilled and appropriately utilized,,,
The Leader finally knows that energy is imparted to teams in unique and counter-intuitive ways and uses them to ensure success...Law #3 fulfilled and appropriately utilized!
Although considered "natural laws" Newton's laws apply to management as well...especially when viewed in the proper light with an open mind...
Are you using these laws to promote you leadership ability or are you constantly looking for the next new thing?
Some things never change...
Enough Said!
