Page 206 - Free the Idea Monkey

It is incredible how many companies are run by bulls who
surround themselves with bears — and surround is the right
word. The pure-of-heart CEO is hopelessly outnumbered. And so
nothing happens.

For fans of innovation, this is like a football team owner who
promises the Super Bowl, but spends no money on free agency.
Eventually the fans—the stockholders, the partners, the employ-
ees—give up. They stop believing. They find another team.

You’re not a CEO? That’s not the point. If you are a leader, you
are a de facto CEO. Someone is counting on you to make them believe
or get them focused on something that they can fully embrace. You
need to get ruthless and address the elephant, uh, I mean bear, in
the room.

BE RUTHLESS
When I am speaking in front of a large group, I like to ask lead-

ers if they believe that they are ultimately going to be successful at
their current endeavor. Not surprisingly, the majority say “yes.” Then
I ask them if they think everyone on their team thinks that they will
be successful. And, quite surprisingly, the majority of the leaders
say “no.”

Then comes the hard part. I ask them why they don’t go back to
the office and fire all the nonbelievers. Don’t these people work for
you? Don’t you think that they are going to deliver the exact outcome
that they expect? Don’t you think good leadership starts with making
everyone believe in the vision or getting the nonbelievers off the bus?

Blank stares.
Hey (Ring)leader, you deserve the staff you get.

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