Why Managers Fail...
One of the wonderful benefits of doing what I do for a living is the exposure to many different organizations and to the people who are responsible for shaping what these organizations become and how they operate. I have a unique vantage point in which to view how managers and leaders think and behave.
Anyone who knows me professionally, has often heard me say..."As the Leader goes...so goes the organization." Over the years, I have observed two fatal behavior flaws that will keep a manager from ever becoming a great leader. These character flaws will not only hinder growth but actually causes managers and leaders to fail in spite of their "programs" efforts to empower, engage, or motivate their work force.
Cynicism and Pettiness
Today, I want to talk about the first of these flaws. Cynicism. As the modern understanding, cynicism is "an attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others."
Having been raised by a cynic, and fighting against the increasing cynical societies we live in, I have a pretty good idea of what causes this cynicism. As described by some, cynicism can manifest itself as a result of frustration, disillusionment, and distrust perceived due to organizations, authorities and other aspects of society.
As I observe organizational managers and department heads I see that there is more to cynicism than the ole "glass half full - half empty" mentality. Additionally, cynicism cannot be cured simply with the "the power of positive thinking" or the Joel Osteen belief that "God only wants what's best for your life." All of that sounds good, but it's completely bogus.
As part of my responsibilities in "Shaping Companies for Success " , I stress the importance of implementation of three essentials .
1.) Thinking differently. 2.) Acting Differently. 3.) Managing differently.
It's easy to talk about these three issues but they require on going coaching efforts in order to move an organization away from cynical habits. Many businesses will not hire a business coach because they are cynical about the motives and cost of the professional business coach. For this group, they will miss the investment opportunities for real and healthy organizational growth.
Being a cynic allows you to move into the most popular excuse for under achievers, that of the Victim! Over the years I have heard many reasons (excuses) why people and organizations can't achieve success. Here are just a few.
"I'm not white enough." I'm not black enough." "I'm not rich enough." "I'm not poor enough." "I'm not young enough." "I'm not old enough." "I'm not thin enough." I'm not fat enough." "You don't understand the "culture" of our country or... the "culture of our company." "The problems we have with the government." "The way I was raised by my mommy and daddy." The issues I've had to deal with in my life"... blah, blah, blah blah, blah.
If you have a cynical mind your cynicism will be reflected in your family and your organization. I know. I once was one, and still battle the temptation. Most people in companies and homes will not rise any higher than their leader. A true achiever will move out of a cynical environment as soon as possible because it just does not fit who they are and can't stand the negativity of it all.
Achievers in life are wired completely different. The first things they see are not obstacles. They see opportunities and are challenged. They believe in something! They are loyal to something! They are dedicated to something!
Think of the great leaders you know. Sports athlete's, politicians, business guys like Richard Branson,CEO of Virgin Airlines, who sees opportunities and thinks he can actually accomplish whatever he goes after. Most of the times he does, some times he doesn't, but that does not deter him. He's nobodies fool or just a dreamer. He's reasonable and smart. He has NOT been jaded by institutional thinking. Recently he admitted in a management conference, that it was several years before he truly understood the difference between gross and net profit. Here is a guy who is always going after achievement and adventure rather than money. This is what he says about life.
"I don't think of work as work and play as play. It's all living."
True achievers, look at the world and see what IS and what's possible. Cynics look at the world and see what isn't. As a habit, cynics look for what is wrong first.
The result? They are suspicious of everyone and everything at some level which hinders growth of the organization. As hard as you might try, you will fail as a leader if you are caught up in cynicism.
Whenever I begin working with a new client, I'm almost always warned by some cynic to "be careful"of something or somebody. Over the years I have learned not be cynical before I have the chance to experience the "treasure" of people and the firms I work with.
In my next post, I want to explain the silly, unprofessional habit of pettiness, and what you must do to eradicate it from your firm. In the mean time, think about your habits and those of the people in your firm. Do you have an organization full of cynics or are they people with healthy minds about who they are and the people they work with and for.
Anyone who knows me professionally, has often heard me say..."As the Leader goes...so goes the organization." Over the years, I have observed two fatal behavior flaws that will keep a manager from ever becoming a great leader. These character flaws will not only hinder growth but actually causes managers and leaders to fail in spite of their "programs" efforts to empower, engage, or motivate their work force.
Cynicism and Pettiness
Today, I want to talk about the first of these flaws. Cynicism. As the modern understanding, cynicism is "an attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others."
Having been raised by a cynic, and fighting against the increasing cynical societies we live in, I have a pretty good idea of what causes this cynicism. As described by some, cynicism can manifest itself as a result of frustration, disillusionment, and distrust perceived due to organizations, authorities and other aspects of society.
As I observe organizational managers and department heads I see that there is more to cynicism than the ole "glass half full - half empty" mentality. Additionally, cynicism cannot be cured simply with the "the power of positive thinking" or the Joel Osteen belief that "God only wants what's best for your life." All of that sounds good, but it's completely bogus.
As part of my responsibilities in "Shaping Companies for Success " , I stress the importance of implementation of three essentials .
1.) Thinking differently. 2.) Acting Differently. 3.) Managing differently.
It's easy to talk about these three issues but they require on going coaching efforts in order to move an organization away from cynical habits. Many businesses will not hire a business coach because they are cynical about the motives and cost of the professional business coach. For this group, they will miss the investment opportunities for real and healthy organizational growth.
Being a cynic allows you to move into the most popular excuse for under achievers, that of the Victim! Over the years I have heard many reasons (excuses) why people and organizations can't achieve success. Here are just a few.
"I'm not white enough." I'm not black enough." "I'm not rich enough." "I'm not poor enough." "I'm not young enough." "I'm not old enough." "I'm not thin enough." I'm not fat enough." "You don't understand the "culture" of our country or... the "culture of our company." "The problems we have with the government." "The way I was raised by my mommy and daddy." The issues I've had to deal with in my life"... blah, blah, blah blah, blah.
If you have a cynical mind your cynicism will be reflected in your family and your organization. I know. I once was one, and still battle the temptation. Most people in companies and homes will not rise any higher than their leader. A true achiever will move out of a cynical environment as soon as possible because it just does not fit who they are and can't stand the negativity of it all.
Achievers in life are wired completely different. The first things they see are not obstacles. They see opportunities and are challenged. They believe in something! They are loyal to something! They are dedicated to something!
Think of the great leaders you know. Sports athlete's, politicians, business guys like Richard Branson,CEO of Virgin Airlines, who sees opportunities and thinks he can actually accomplish whatever he goes after. Most of the times he does, some times he doesn't, but that does not deter him. He's nobodies fool or just a dreamer. He's reasonable and smart. He has NOT been jaded by institutional thinking. Recently he admitted in a management conference, that it was several years before he truly understood the difference between gross and net profit. Here is a guy who is always going after achievement and adventure rather than money. This is what he says about life.
"I don't think of work as work and play as play. It's all living."
True achievers, look at the world and see what IS and what's possible. Cynics look at the world and see what isn't. As a habit, cynics look for what is wrong first.
The result? They are suspicious of everyone and everything at some level which hinders growth of the organization. As hard as you might try, you will fail as a leader if you are caught up in cynicism.
Whenever I begin working with a new client, I'm almost always warned by some cynic to "be careful"of something or somebody. Over the years I have learned not be cynical before I have the chance to experience the "treasure" of people and the firms I work with.
In my next post, I want to explain the silly, unprofessional habit of pettiness, and what you must do to eradicate it from your firm. In the mean time, think about your habits and those of the people in your firm. Do you have an organization full of cynics or are they people with healthy minds about who they are and the people they work with and for.
posted by Bill at
2:54 PM
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