Leadership Commentary

This week I had the opportunity to hear Karen Haren of Harvester's Community Food Network in Kansas City speak. She is very down to earth and cordial. Karen leads a $60 million organization when you combine in-kind donations with revenue generated.

One of the comments that really struck me was, "I don't believe in failure, I believe everything is a learning opportunity". To see the world from this vantage point would vastly change how employees do their jobs. Their willingness to experiment and take some risks could positively impact organizations. The end result could be more creative solutions to issues facing those companies.

Karen's three key elements for leadership include:

1. Be mission driven. Keep that at the center of your business activity.
2. Be a learning organization. Continue to learn and expand.
3. Hire the right people. This is critical to the success of the organization.

In closing, she said, "The job of a leader is to develop leaders, not followers"? Surround yourself with smart, talented people. I think that is very wise advice.

How would your professional and personal life change if you saw failure as a learning opportunity ?