The Festival Of Lights is here and I take the opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a very happy, prosperous and safe Deepawali. Hope this brings immense joy and peace into your lives and may you progress on the path towards your fulfilment!
Ever wondered how a few people come up trumps in a situation that so many others find almost impossible to negotiate? Good old enthusiasm, a zest for life and an intense desire to do the best you can at all times is the differentiator. Make the most of what you can control and very soon the rest starts to take care of itself. Almost like an attitude thing! Let me elaborate…..
The Best Leadership Advice I Ever Got
Like many young Ph.D. students, I was deeply impressed with my own intelligence, wisdom and profound insights into the human condition. I consistently amazed myself with my ability to judge others and see what they were doing wrong. UCLA Professor Fred Case was my advisor and head of the Los Angeles City Planning Commission – where I was doing my dissertation research. At this point, he was clearly the most important person in my professional life, a man that I sincerely respected. He had done lots to help the city become a better place – and was doing much to help me.
Normally in a very upbeat mood, one day Dr. Case seemed annoyed. He looked at me and growled, “Marshall, what is the problem with you? I am getting feedback from some people at City Hall that you are coming across as negative, angry and judgmental. What’s going on?”
“You can’t believe how inefficient the city government is!” I ranted and immediately proceeded to give several examples of how taxpayer’s money was not being used in the way that I thought it should be. I was convinced that the city could be a much better place if the leaders just listened to me.
“What a stunning breakthrough!” Dr. Case sarcastically remarked, “You, Marshall Goldsmith, have discovered that our city government is inefficient! I hate to tell you this Marshall, but my barber who is cutting hair down on the corner figured this out several years ago. What else is bothering you?” Undeterred by this temporary setback, I angrily proceeded to point out several minor examples of behavior that could be classified as favoritism toward rich political benefactors.
Dr. Case was now laughing. “Stunning breakthrough number two!” he chuckled. “Your profound investigative skills have led to the discovery that politicians may give a more attention to their major campaign contributors than to people who support their opponents. I am sorry to report that my barber has also known this for years. I am afraid that we can’t give you a Ph.D. for this level of insight.”
As he looked at me, his face showed the wisdom that can only come from years of experience. He said, “I know you think that I may be old and ‘behind the times’, but I have been working down there at City Hall for years. Did it ever dawn on you that even though I may be slow, perhaps even I have figured some of this stuff out?”
Then he delivered the advice I will never forget. “Marshall,” he explained, “you are becoming a ‘pain in the butt’. You are not helping the people who are supposed to be your clients. You are not helping me and you are not helping yourself. I am going to give you two options:
“Option A – Continue to be angry, negative and judgmental. If you chose this option, you will be fired, you probably will never graduate and you may have wasted the last four years of your life.
“Option B – Start having some fun. Keep trying to make a constructive difference, but do it in a way that is positive for you and the people around you.
“My advice is this: You are young. Life is short. Start having fun. What option are you going to choose, son?”
I finally laughed and replied, “Dr. Case, I think it is time for me to start having some fun!” He smiled knowingly and said, “You are a wise young man.”
Most of my life is spent working with leaders in huge organizations. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that things are not always as efficient as they could be – almost every employee has made this breakthrough discovery. It also doesn’t take a genius to learn that occasionally people are more interested in their own advancement than the welfare of the company. Many employees have already figured out this one as well.
Real leaders are not people who can point out what is wrong. Almost anyone can do that. Real leaders are people who can make things better. Dr. Case taught me a great lesson. His coaching didn’t just help me get a Ph.D. and become a better consultant. He helped me have a better life.
It is easy to relate to the experience. Will be helpful to reflect on your work environment and your own behaviour – have you chosen to be an angry, judgemental critic or are you communicating a sense of joy and enthusiasm to the people around you.
Support and brighten up the Diwali of such people you know – the change will be intensely profound for the better!
Also – indulge in the festivities and have fun!
rs
