Leadership and the Higher Standard

The ongoing saga of "for-profit" education within our society is a constant reminder of a critical characteristic of true leadership that we often avoid addressing...

The "HIGHER" standard...

I believe that "for-profit" education could serve our society in ways that traditional education can not.  It has a place...but that place can only be held if it meets specific basic criteria...one of them being...

The "HIGHER" standard...

An oft accepted (a "given") precept in the educational arena is that an institution of higher learning is its integrity, ethics and moral standards...that is a piece of higher education that we just believe every school has...because they are a member of that elite group...

Couple this with accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) or some other college accrediting body and we should not have to question their motives or intent, in the least...

I am saddened by the fact that the Federal Government had to waste money in sting operations...and even more saddened that they caught many schools in violation of some of the most simple "no-brainer" laws!  They did AND at an alarming proportion to the total number checked!

If I were the accrediting body of these schools...I would be reeling from a black-eye!  I would immediately be pulling my affiliation with them...it is my reputation that is being hurt...and ultimately I would be suing them for their actions...my credibility is being hurt!  That stinks!  They were duped into believing that these schools held to the "HIGHER" standard!  These bodies must hold these schools accountable to the "HIGHER" standard...and act accordingly...

Some of these institutions are owned by companies that even have a "HIGHER" standard of responsibility...morality and ethics...If I were a Board member of the parent company or even a stockholder...I would be reeling from the black-eye that they have given me...and responding accordingly with the people running those educational units...do these companies have rules that indicate immediate termination for individuals participating in illegal activities?  Many of these institutions do extensive background checks to weed out individuals who could tarnish the organization's image....or put them at risk...but once in...it appears that an individual has free-reign to pursue some pretty bad things...If that is not the case...show us the terminations?  Not at the lowest level...but at the leadership level...the people who have ultimate responsibility yet hide behind excuses of abdication or distraction...

What has bothered me has been the numerous articles that are appearing where wrong-doing has been admitted...and some semblance guilt admitted to...but the blame is put on the Market...or the Federal Government for making the money easy to get and the lack of control...that is no excuse...it is like a teenager admitting to shoplifting and blaming it on his mother for not catching him when he was still in the store and not making him put it back!

There comes a time that accountability and responsibility must be taken by leadership...This is another Enron...S-OX is in place and these corporation signed annual documents ensuring truth and honesty..."I didn't know" and "If I did" is no excuse...you do now and what have you done?

Even if the Federal Government's laws were loose...an institution of higher education should be thankful and adhere to the"HIGHER" standard...as a matter of course...

I have ranted enough...I think you get the picture...this is not about "for-profit" education...I just cite this as an example...

So what is the "HIGHER" standard?

The answer is simple...and most leaders have yet to grasp it!

An organization that I worked for long ago recognized that rules take on two separate forms...the law's "intent" and its "content."  This company called it "the Letter and the Spirit."  It was the most awesome program!  Annually they required their employees to sign a document in which they renewed their vow to adhere to both the "Letter and the Spirit" of every internal and external rule and regulation...for me it was almost a mystical experience!  It made me think and question my every decision and motive...and I think it did for many others also... 

This company slowly and systematically built great leaders...individuals who had instilled in their DNA, the "Letter" of the law and the "Spirit" of its intent...these leaders ALWAYS played by the rules and could be expected to work with the highest level of integrity and honesty...in short order there was no reason to question the legality of a leader's behavior in this organization...it was simply the way they did business...

21st century leaders must have this characteristic...the "HIGHER" standard...the "Letter and the Spirit" ingrained in their behavior...

If they do not...the view from their corner office will be through bars!

Special interest groups and lobbying for relief...will no longer carry the clout that they did in the past...public opinion and the Internet will not allow to happen...if a law is not created to control them...the market will...

Profits may be optimized by running on that thin line between legality and illegal activity...but survivability comes to those organizations that put a buffer between their activities and letter of the law...this is where the Spirit of the law's intent resides...21st century leadership lives in the world of the Spirit...not the letter!

21st century leaders will recognize that Darwin is about to be proven true by the "Letter and the Spirit."  In a world where the strong survive...the weakness must be shown to be that lack of integrity...pushing profitability at the risk of being caught.  There is no longer the excuse of plausible deniability...

A 21st century leader and ultimately a 21st century organization must withhold immediate gratification of higher profits and hold itself to the "HIGHER" standard...in order to survive...

No excuses...no finger pointing...no blame...lives in a world where the spirit of the law is followed...

The funny thing is that this was the intent of our Founding Fathers.  It was true 200+ years ago and it still holds true today!

The "bottom line" of 21st century leadership begins with a foundation of "the "Letter and the Spirit."   

Lest we Forget...

Joan Didion is quoted saying..."We forget all too soon the things we thought we could never forget..."

There is a lesson for those who strive to be great leaders!  Anyone who aspires to leadership...or...wishes to retain their position of leadership, they must hold this foundational tenet and adhere to it with absolute integrity...

Leaders often overlook it...but it will play an important role in 21st Century organizational survival!

Simply stated...It is...how to perceive and treat those who they depend upon the most...

Customers...Markets...and Employees...

This needs to be combined with the following facts...

First...that there are some acts that are unforgivable...and...

Second...that people are not stupid!
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When will the abuse end?

One of my favorite personal quotes is "history will repeat itself...until we learn the lessons that it is trying to teach us..."

I am frustrated by the vicious circle that has been created within this organizational arena...and worry that unless the more intelligent of the two players...does not step up and take action...this circle will turn into a spiral...

...A death spiral!

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The Arena

...is our capitalistic society...

...Which is comprised of markets (groups or segments of the society with similar needs and a propensity to buy a good or service in order to meet that need)...

...Which is, by definition, comprised of individuals (citizens of the society)...

Each member of the segment or even the society are related by the behaviors and ideals...

It technically...makes within each market segment and ultimately the society, a brother and sister (a family member)...

Having said this...

We have set the stage for this drama...

That is...
Unless you are in some obscure part of this world...and...do not work for an organization that sells products or services...and...buys nothing...

Otherwise...

you are a player in this drama...

The message is...whether leader or customer...this concept applies to you!

You are one or the other...and both!  Isn't that interesting?
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The Situtation

I am insulted buy the arrogance of many organizations...

Perhaps a better way to explain my reactions (and this is not purely emotional...but logical) is that through organizations behaviors...they very subtly convey a message of how little they really think of us...our markets...our society...or our abilities...

There is a total disregard for the (real) long-term impact of their actions...as long as they profit...

Their behaviors are such that they indicate that they believe that they are given license to do whatever they please...and ask for forgiveness later...

...or...

That they think that we have no alternatives to them and we are captive...so it doesn't matter...

...or...

That we are so greedy...that we'll give them a "free-pass"...and forget what they did to us

...or...

That we are so ignorant that we do not realize what they are really doing...and forget what they did to us...

...or...

That our memories are so short term...that if they can weather the bad press...and that we'll forget what they did to us...

...or...

That if they can divert our attention...and we'll forget what they did to us...

I could cite many more observations...and potential conclusions...but...

I hope that you are getting what their behaviors indicate as their perception of us as market segments and consumers (customers)...and a society...

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Our Role

It is said that "forgiveness is a virtue..."

There are some behaviors that are simply unforgivable...

Forgiveness of those acts is simply ignorance and stupidity...

As discerning customers and family members...we have the right to decide when to cut organizations slack and forgive them and when not to...

I watch as great injustices and violations are done to our family (society) by major corporations...

All because they think so little of us...and so much of profits!

When they do get caught...they believe that with a bit a positive advertising...they think that we'll forget...

...or...

They go on a overused campaign saying that it is a few disgruntled employees or customers...

It is like someone raping your sister...and when confronted they simply say..."Look over there...a bird!" and we forget that they committed a crime!

Lest we forget!

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Have you REALLY Noticed?

Some major travesties have been committed by HUGE organizations and I am watching their campaigns...so are you!

Because of the arrogance of one company's executive and its focus on profits...they have refused to admit to major safety issues with their automobiles...

Another cut corners on off-shore drilling and polluted the gulf of Mexico...
Both got caught!  But they haven't fully reaped the punishment that they deserve...

We need to close the door to our family...

Would you open the door again to someone who raped or killed your sister?

I am not that stupid...and do not forget...

We don't need that brand of car...

We don't need that brand of fuel...

We have to realize that we have the ultimate power...

Simply stop buying...

We do not need government controls or regulations...

The message can simply be sent by saying...I refuse to buy your product or service...

People in this society depend on the government to build controls and enforce them...that is wrong!

It is our responsibility to establish and enforce the rules of engagement through our purchasing of goods and services...

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The Question Remains...

What are unforgivable sins against our family?

That is simple...

When a company knowingly circumvents a known safety regulation to make a profit...

When a company puts one of our family members in harms way to make a profit...

When a company bends the rules or interprets it to their advantage...

When a company hurts our environment...

When a company knowingly takes taxpayers' money that it doesn't deserve...

When a company misrepresents itself to gain market confidence...

and the list goes on...

The gist of the list....(It rhymes!) is that when it thinks our family is ignorant and uses that perception to make a profit!

Oil Spills?

Car safety issue cover-ups?

Stop buying that fuel!  Send a message that they are not welcome in our midst any longer...

Stop buying that brand of automobiles!  How can you trust them?

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It is up to you AND us!

I suggest that any time you stop for gas....you think of what they think of you...

If you are not insulted...go ahead and buy it...they were right!

Buy one of those cars?  go ahead and buy it...they were right!

and the list of rapists and murders is long!

Step up and defend your family's honor!

Remember the great injustices done to our society by major corporations...every time you see one of those commercials with that positive advertising spin...they think that we'll forget...

What does this have to do with 21st Century Leadership?

This commentary points to the need for members of the 21st century to step up and take responsibility for the present and future of our society.  We need to be leaders and protectors of our present AND our future...using what we have to ensure the greatest chances of survival...

We can not sacrifice our future for the sake of immediate gratification...

Isolation and self-centeredness can not be tolerated...

Neither can abdication to governmental entities...

Our role and responsibility is to control the world through an untapped strength that unity provides...

Our society ultimately controls the destiny of any corporation through our behavior...

Some may say that this is simply a "boycott"  It is not...a boycott assumes (and evens promises) that we will ultimately forgive and forget...if the offender makes reparations...

Boycotts are not the answer any longer...there is no proof that they still do not think of us as fools!

We need to simply and for all time...turn off the flow of money to them...

We need to exercise that influence with a bias towards the benefit of the society on a whole and not be deluded by advertising...marketing or even our own desire for convenience!

If we stop buying "their gas" or "their cars" or using "their services" and broken promises...they will quickly whither and die! 

The others will get the message that we are not a tolerant society...and more important...we do not forget!

Enough said...it is now in your hands!

Act responsibly!

Leadership and Loyalty

As I reviewed the characteristics of the great leaders throughout history...I found that most if not all demanded "loyalty" form those that they kept within their "circle.  The interesting thing about this commonality was (is) that it is VERY apparent...

It is such a visible characteristic...that wanna-be leaders emulate this without knowing the real secret!

Many poor leaders demand loyalty not only because it appears that it is the thing to do...but because they are incompetent!  Disloyal "circle members" pose a threat to their livelihood and success...

I have watch many  "TOTALLY" incompetent leaders fire subordinates because they rightly pointed out major breaches in a leader's competency...

This is a bastardization of the true concept of loyalty and behaviors such as the one previously mentioned is one of the few instances where I truly believe in an "eye for an eye!"

If loyalty is not an unquestioning and selfless support of another...what is it?

The Great Leaders did demand loyalty...

They however recognized that loyalty is a fragile animal!

They also recognized that loyalty can not be required but is earned...and cultivated...

At any moment...a breach in one's character and integrity could effectively destroy any semblance of loyalty...

The demand for loyalty in reality was not a requirement for their followers...but a commitment to extraordinary behavior on their part...which earned unwavering loyalty!

If a follower had a criticism...a great leader took it to heart...realizing that it was true...

A great leader NEVER sought retaliation for any behavior that challenged the behaviors or decisions...

A great leader realized that if the individual was right...they either deserved the ramifications related to the breach...or they took the opportunity to improve. 

Those who lacked this integrity and insight...are not leaders...but are no more valuable than the primordial slime from which their ancient ancestors arose!
Great leaders either met the challenge...changed the behavior...or stepped down!

Most pseudo-leaders today...spend most of their time defending their territory...and their reputation...

It is because of insecurity, incompetence...and laziness!

Some just plain do not know or understand the real ramifications of a demand for loyalty!

Most would be better off...not demanding it...

But they think they have to be like the real leaders...

I believe that most of these pseudo-leaders will never learn this lesson...

I hope that organizations begin to recognize this and take the right actions...

Many innocent employees have been hurt by those terrible leaders...

Companies have lost individuals who had much higher ethics, morals and more regard for the company's well being than the incompetent person who fired them!

I have ranted enough for one blog...

A demand for loyalty is a commitment to personal excellence...that those from which loyalty is demanded is truly nothing more than a by-product...only a fool would not be committed to someone like that!
Anything other than that...is deception...

The question that you must ask yourself...

Are you a real leader...or...

A liar?

Newton is not just for Physics Anymore

A Great Leader recognizes that there are some immutable facts of leadership.

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!    

The "No Excuse" Management Style

Arising out of "the a Safe environment to Fail" management tactic came my...

"No Excuse" Management Style...

Let's put this into perspective...Organizations and managers quickly grabbed upon "the safe to fail" cliche without realizing the ramifications for doing so...

The astute survivors (those who chronically fail) breathed a sign of relief and interpreted this tactic to their advantage and held their leaders to the letter of the effort rather than the spirit!  Think about what a blessing this was for chronic failures...I don't have to produce and I don't have to worry about it!

They would come to a deadline and simply apologize...saying, "I know...I failed...but it is so cool that you are a boss that promotes that cutting edge "safe to fail" environment...Sorry!"

They failed and expected forgiveness...heck, let's get real...they demanded understanding and believed they were entitled to forgiveness...and criticized great managers who made them "feel bad" for failing again and again!

That bothered me...people should not have or deserve that authority...even worse is when they believe that they are entitled to it...

The only thing that a person is entitled to is that which they negotiated and earned...

You are safe to fail...if you negotiated failure into your performance goals...

Then...if you fail at failing...you succeeded...

Then you are safe...

Smart organizations reward success...

I can only remember once when a person was laid off by a REALLY poor boss and leader for succeeding and that was because the boss was trying to save his own "behind"...it simply bought him a salary for a while and he ultimately lost his job because he was seen for his incompetence...

The bottom line is...

One should NEVER fail at delivering to a customer's expectations...

You are getting paid to do that...when you fail at that...you are robbing from the company...and the customer...

There is nothing safe there!

The conditions upon which it is safe to fail...

If a person delivers what is required (is successful) and goes one step further (in a separate effort) and fails...it is safe!

You tried and fell short...but it was your own expectations...not the customer's...

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The question that I asked...and answered was how do I rectify the "Safe to fail" management concept that my organization wants to promote and yet not be raped by incompetent people?

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From this question, an interesting concept (my own management tactic) took shape...although I fell upon it early on in my career...as we entered the 21st century, when the children of the "everyone is entitled to a trophy" generation moved into the workforce...it became less of a tactic and more of a requirement.

It became known as "No Excuse Management."

Those who have worked with me have often heard me say...

"Don't bring excuses to the table...bring results..."

An outsider would perceive this as the furthest thing from a "safe to fail" environment...

Those who have experienced it...realize that it is 100% safe to fail...

...but...let's talk about failure...

Failure can occur in...

Delivery time (When it is expected)

Volume (How much was expected)

Quality (What was expect)

Cost (Effort required on the part of the recipient to get what they want) 

...Failure is a BAD thing after one makes a commitment...A REALLY REALLY BAD THING!

When is it safe to fail?

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The History Channel

Ever since grade school...I hated listening to whiners!

I had to stay up late to get my homework done...WHAT ARE YOU THAT STUPID THAT YOU COULDN'T GET IT DONE IN AN HOUR?

I lost it on the way to school...YOUR WORK DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU?

and on and on! 

All these kids wanted was sympathy for failing to deliver!

Not from me!  AND I definitely didn't want to hear it!

Quick fast-forward...

I entered the workforce and "the dog ate my homework" got worse...

But always the same excuses!!!

WHINERS!

So I came up with the "No Excuses" management concept...

It was my philosophical reconciliation of "safe to fail" and "paid to perform"

Many of those with whom I worked captured the essence of it...

Others jumped upon it like vultures on rotting flesh!!!!

Fact of the matter is...you are either one or the other in that environment! (vultures or successes)

The purpose of my using this concept was to teach people to be realistic with what they can do and when they can deliver...and teach them to negotiate this...prior to their commitment...

After one commits...failure either means that you are incompetent...or you were lying!

...or "the dog ate your homework" or "your grandma died" for the 4th time

...or my "kid is in jail again" or "in the hospital"...

or...

Stop the craziness...how stupid do you think I am?  If anyone has that terrible of a life...commit suicide!  (I do not really mean that...but get real!  Who really has that many problems and is not taking Prozac?)

I have heard them all before!

I have had individuals come to me after failing...and say "I know...no excuses...and then go on giving me an excuse"...and expecting me to say, "OH...that's alright...it is safe to fail here!"

They expect me to forgive and forget and let things go on as before...

What this really points to is that these people are the vultures (the users!)...it is all about their own agenda... 

Failing a customer or anyone that you are committed to is not safe!

You failed!

Were you lying?

or

Just plain incompetent?

Acts of God are acts of God...

He doesn't visit here that often...and definitely doesn't sit around working on making your life miserable!

It is a statistical improbability that He is going to come down and mess with you so that you do not get your job done...

An interesting thing...I have extensively studied most religions and in every one the God wants you to be successful...not a failure...

If you are failing...it is your problem...Not some Act of God!

Stop blaming Him or Her...

It is you who are the loser not a product of a God!

(Do you get my point?)

An emergency is just that...rare!

Some people seem to have daily emergencies!  WEIRD!

SO...

You failed...

Did you lie?

Or are you just plain incompetent!

Or have you not been honest and accurate about who you really are?

or what really happened?

No excuses!

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The "Safe to fail" tactic is applicable only in specific instances...

The bottom line is that is is safe to fail...only when you never fail!

or...

you fail when the only person that you are letting down is yourself!

Otherwise...failure is a "career determining decision."

A NEGATIVE CAREER DETERMINING DECISION!

The "No excuses" counter-tactic is better suited to the 21st century...and the personality type of people that occupy it...

I have worked with people that have emergencies one time or more per week!

How many grandparents does one person have die?  or how many sick children?  or...how many car accidents or flat tires?  The list is endless...

I often have to make retention decisions around information...

When people are "disaster magnets"

I do not want them related to my efforts or my reputation...what if it rubs off?

No excuses...

If you fail...you are either incompetent or a liar...that is the message that needs to be sent!

If you want a job...shirk the disasters...if you are committed to disasters...give up your job!

These are strong positions...but if they are kept in mind...it is absolutely "safe to fail!"

Enough Said!

Idiosyncrasies do not make it a Priority

Everyone has idiosyncrasies.

Leaders (because of their position) often have unbridled quirks!

For some strange reason leaders (celebrities) believe that they deserve special treatment and accommodation of their quirks!  That is a very self-serving behavior!
 
"Giving in" to a leader's idiosyncrasies is often an effort in quelling an immature or uninformed need...and often one that actually disrupts real progress.

It is like...throwing a fit and saying...nobody works until I get my chocolate covered raisins!   How childish!

I have seen leaders with some strange quirks!  Examples include:

I need 3 cups of coffee before I meet with anyone...

Every one's "In Box" must be on the left-hand side of the desk...

Everyone on my team will only wear black shoes...

Evey person must address each other by their full given name...no nicknames...

I bet you can think of even some better ones!

Although most are, at most, a bother...they ultimately will spell the demise of the leader or worse...the team, a department, or an entire organization...

Effective leaders recognize their idiosyncrasies and put them into the proper perspective...

Idiosyncrasies are powerful drivers...but most of the time...they drive people in the wrong direction...unless they add specific measurable value...and are directly related to the needs and goals of the greater good! Do they take you closer to what you want to achieve...or are the efforts that they drive related to satisfying a weird hunger?

I have always reminded the people who work with me...that my idiosyncrasies should and will not make it some other person's priority...

If it bothers me...and it does nothing more than quell some weird psychological need and adds no value to the overall effort...

The only one who needs to be motivated by the idiosyncrasy is the person who has it...

Most idiosyncrasies are of little or no value!  They should not become part of setting the priorities of tasks...

A good leader recognizes when something is really important and when it is just a quirk!

The acid test is simple..."Does it matter to anyone else?"

If not...then it probably is simply a quirk!

If it matters so much that the leader needs ti get it done and they divert progress to accomplish it...they should...

Seek psychological help...
Submit their resignation...or
Do it themselves and let their team finish what they set out to do...

Idiosyncratic needs of a leader does not make it a priority...and the great leaders recognize that!