A Kinder, Gentler Workplace

I have been reading Dr. Wayne W. Dyer's book, Excuses Begone! He identifies the 18 excuses we use that prevent us from "living at the highest levels of success, happiness, and health". Although it is powerful information, the most impacting part of the book is when Dr. Dyer discusses the "four cardinal virtues".

Over 2500 years ago Lao-Tzu spoke of the "four cardinal virtues" (Dyer 231). They are as follows (Dyer 232-236):

1. Reverence for All Life: This virtue is unconditional love and respect for all beings, including self.


2. Natural Sincerity: Honesty, simplicity and faithfulness; this virtue is about being true to yourself.


3. Gentleness: With this virtue there is no ego desire to dominate or control others. He says, "when you have the choice to be right or kind, always pick kind".


4. Supportiveness: Practice service to others without any expectation of reward.

Thinking about these four virtues, I wondered what the workplace would look like if we tried to practice them on a daily basis.

We live in a soceity that is often tuned into station WIIFM (what's in it for me). The fourth virtue supportiveness, changes the channel to one based on making a contribution to others. It is exciting to think of how organizations would change with the practice of these virtues.

These four virtues provide a road map for life both personally and professionally. Ultimately, they lead to a kinder, gentler workplace when practiced on a daily basis.

What would be the impact of the four virtues on your workplace if practiced regularly?

Leadership for the Future

This week I had the opportunity to attend the Central Exchange's Leadership Lyceum called "New Game. New Rules: Leading in Today's World". The speakers included Lee Woodruff (wife of Bob Woodruff), Rachel Lyle Hatch of the Institute for the Future and Daniel Pink. It was fabulous!

Lee discussed how the family navigated through Bob Woodward's injury that occurred in Iraq while on assignment. Bob was in a coma for 36 days, and she did not know what the outcome would be. She discussed how learning to live in the moment, humor and connecting with the people you love were critical during this time.

Rachel Lyle Hatch, standing in for Bob Johansen who was stranded in London, discussed the volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) that leaders face today. She reviewed the ten leadership skills for the future as follows:

• Maker Instinct: Ability to turn one's natural impulse to build into a skill for making the future and connection with others in the making.
• Clarity: Ability to see through messes and contradictions to a future that others cannot yet see.
• Constructive Depolarizing: Ability to calm tense situations where differences dominate and communication has broken down.
• Immersive Learning Ability: Ability to dive into different-for-you physical and online worlds, to learn from them in a first-person way.
• Bio-empathy: Ability to see things from nature's point of view; to understand, respect and learn from nature's patterns.
• Dilemma Flipping: Ability to turn dilemmas-which, unlike problems, cannot be solved-into advantages and opportunities.
• Quiet Transparency: Ability to be open and authentic about what matters to you-without advertising yourself.
• Rapid Prototyping: Ability to create quick early versions of new innovations, with the expectations that later success will require early failures.
• Smart Mob Organizing: Ability to bring people together, engage with and nurture purposeful business or social change networks through intelligent use of electronic and other media.
• Commons Creating: Ability to stimulate, grow and nurture shared assets that can benefit other players-and allow competition at a higher level.

Additional information can be found by reading Leaders Make the Future by Bob Johansen.

Finally, Daniel Pink spoke in the afternoon. He was definitely my favorite. As author of A Whole New Mind and Drive he talked about the science of motivation and what it can teach about high performance. His work is research-based. Daniel suggested paying people well so you take the issue of money off the table. He listed autonomy, mastery and purpose as to what motivates people and gave us tools to address each.

Overall, the day was thought provoking and provided additional insights into the future of leadership. It really is a new game with new rules!

What are your thoughts about leadership in the future?

Leadership Revisited

This week I was returning my overdue library books (I couldn't believe I owed $5.60). The lobby was set for some type of meeting. I could tell by the people streaming in that it had something to do with banking. The dark blue and black suits were the automatic give away. I found out shortly the reason for the meeting.

Recently, Forbes selected UMB and Commerce as the second and third respectively, healthiest banks in the country. Representative Barney Frank was arriving to present the framed proclamation to Mariner Kemper (UMB) and David Kemper (Commerce). I wanted to see Barney Frank who at times has been a controversial politician. I had my black suit on that day and fit in perfectly.

Although I have lived in Kansas City for 29 years I do not know much about the Kempers. However, I know they have done an enormous amount for Kansas City. There were several things that impressed me most about the Kemper's.

First, Barney Frank's plane was late and Mariner handled it with such humor and class. He even convinced Dr. John Covington, the Superintendant of the Kansas City School District to speak while we were waiting. John reminded him as he is walked up to the microphone, "You owe me one".

At one point prior to the ceremony a mother removed her baby who was beginning to make noise. Jonathan Kemper got up from his chair and delivered the baby's pacifier to the woman who had just left the room.

Finally, the bank president's had the courage to lobby for reform in the presence of Barney Frank. Both leaders struck me as having a self-assuredness that did not cross a line into egomania. It was no wonder Forbes recognized both banks. I could see these were high integrity, and very ethical leaders.

In the last two weeks, my faith has been greatly restored in leadership. There are leaders all over the country that really believe in doing the "right thing" for their key stakeholders. I felt grateful for living in Kansas City on Wednesday, knowing we are surrounded by top notch leaders! Where do you see high integrity and ethical leaders in your personal and professional life?

Real Leadership

My favorite organization in Kansas City is the Central Exchange. The programs are extraordinary and there is exposure to many new ideas. This week was no exception. I had the opportunity to hear Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick-fil-A, and David Gentile, President and CEO-Elect of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. Both reminded me that real leadership still exists.

Dan Cathy has the customer service philosophy that "if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles (Matthew 5:41)". He always believes in going the extra mile for customers. He said, "customers are starving for honor, dignity and respect". Our interaction with them is more than selling something. For example, one store came up with the idea of using a pepper grinder. Customers could then have fresh, cracked pepper on their salads. It was such a huge hit, Dan went and bought the largest pepper grinders he could find for all the stores!

Another point Dan made is, "if you fall in love with your work, you will never have to work again". Dan also emphasized glorifying God and having a positive influence on all.

David Gentile also spoke this week. He follows these seven commandments:

1. Define who you are? What do you stand for?
2. Don't let the organization constrain you. Figure out how you can have an influence within the organization.
3. Bring clarity to subjects.
4. Be determined or get out of the way. Are you determined to make a difference? Never excel at mediocrity. Do the best you can.
5. Consistency is a virtue people rely on. David considers himself "consistently unpredictable".
6. Have a vision for the future as a guiding light.
7. Transparency rules the day.

What impressed me most was not his commandments, but rather the way he addressed a family healthcare issue with me one-on-one. He offered me a number of suggestions, and instructed me to call his office if I did not get satisfactory results. Although I may not talk directly to David, I am confident the appropriate support will be provided.

These are just two examples of real and authentic leadership? Who do you know that exemplifies this kind of leadership?