Bim-spiration....Reflections on Leadership by Karl Bimshas
June 19, 2008
01:45 pm | 1 recommendation | 2 comments
I first posted this question on LinkedIn earlier in the month and have been getting some great responses.
"Do you feel those in Generation X (let’s say the core being born between 1965-1975) now aged 33-43 are not willing to accept leadership challenges?
Every generation is often critical of the preceding and the next. There seems to be a fair number of editorials and frustrations that state either this generation is not accepting the mantle of leadership in society, or is not being offered it as Boomers are hanging on tighter and Gen Y has greater enthusiasm.
It strikes me that the combination of new media (web 2.0) and the rapidly changing world, the environment is rich for Gen X style leadership. Are they reluctant or just still misunderstood?
If you are from this generation, do you want to lead, or do you feel burdened by it?"
What do you think? Join the conversation.
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March 18, 2008
03:54 pm | 0 recommendations | 1 comment
When I was working at a Fortune 500 company, my division was internally merging with a culturally different organization. It was essentially the Gen X crowd versus the Baby Boomer generation. One side would list major accomplishments as; their wedding day, the birth of a child, or a trip abroad they had saved up for. The other; President's Club, numbers they hit, problems they solved. Two different worlds - united in the fact that we all very much disliked our new boss. This boss did do one thing very right though. He saw that the integration was not smooth, so he hired outside help to bring us together.
We escaped to an island and embarked on a number of team building exercises. They were mostly awkward, but occasionally fun. At the end of each one we would debrief and discuss what we learned - what went right, what went wrong. Inevitably, each one ended with the realization that we needed clearer communication and to be more helpful toward each other. One of our last exercises changed the dynamic of the team, my place on it and altered my approach toward communication, particularly when asking for help.
We were paired up into several teams, deposited into a large field and instructed to use the compass each team was provided to race around key areas of the meadow. It was orienteering on steroids. This brought up the competitive spirit unlike any of the other exercises. The person I was teamed with was a very nice guy, but an over accommodating follower with no innate leadership that I could tell. As the race began I instantly forgot my cub scout training on how to actually adjust and read a compass. I asked for help, but my coworkers, some of them very good friends, began to mock me. They were off and racing, and each time they passed by they would taunt us, but never offered assistance. It began to tick me off and strengthened my resolve. We eventually got instruction from the facilitator and after a five minute delay, my partner and I were able to surge up to a second place finish.
During our after action review I was uncharacteristically livid. "What had happened to the many hours we had already spent learning the value of team, and communication, and helpfulness? Were those other exercises just a waste of time, had we learned nothing?" I quizzed angrily. Many were shocked by my red faced outburst, but they understood the point and my passion that it had aroused. One colleague explained by way of a future solution. "You just said, someone help - you weren't specific. What help did you need and who did you want it from? I'm competitive, and was so busy I didn't even hear you. It's like the tons of email I get everyday. When someone copies in the world looking for help, I tend to ignore it. I figure someone else on the distribution list will help. The fact is, everyone is busy and no one ever helps, because they don't know how."
He continued, "Be specific in what you want and who you want it from." Poignant words, which I found to be immediately true. In the heat of the moment, when I had approached the facilitator, I addressed him by name and specifically asked him if he could give me a quick refresher on how to set and read the compass. He did, and as a result I got exactly what I wanted.
The team came together fairly quickly after that weekend away. There were too many other influences that prevented us from becoming a truly high performing team, but we communicated with each other exceptionally well, and we were always able to get the help we needed from each other, because instead of standing in a field shouting to the heavens, we asked specific people what specific help we needed. The results were faster and much more satisfying.
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February 29, 2008
02:34 am | 0 recommendations | Be the first to comment
It is easy to talk about leadership. It has become a subject of study. Books have been written, seminars conducted, presentations videotaped, lectures recorded and podcast. There are no shortages of quotes on effective leadership. The attributes and skills, demeanor and aptitude tests that define what scholars believe makes a great leader lurk around every corner. In contrast, there is an echo chamber of biased and belligerent pundits, regularly showcasing their brand of leadership, veiled in an arrogant and sanctimonious self-assuredness. Regardless of how unauthentic it may be, it is still leadership.
Talking about leadership and it's void has become a perpetual cliche. Yet with all this study, pontification and observation there is still the perception of an acute absence of something. Leaders. In their unquenchable desire to find role models and visionaries, most people have neglected looking in the one obvious place. Themselves. Great leaders are quoted and imitated, criticized and followed because it is easier to do so. Real leaders act, and people respond to action, good or bad.
Successful leaders, whether of the PTA, a major account, a large corporation or a country, envision things that do not yet exist. When they think about how to achieve their vision, they become infused with an infectious enthusiasm. The ideas consume them and give them a sense of purpose, of motivation, and of passion. True leaders acknowledge this, and relish the adventure.
Believe it or not, you are a leader. Either at home, or at work, on the playing field, or in the town hall; one of the many roles you play in your busy life is that of a leader. The question remains, are you considered an effective leader? It's an vital role to play in at least some areas of your life, one you should perform with vigor. So study and read, listen and observe, and make sure you take the time to dream and to plan. Muster up your enthusiasm. Then, above all, commit and act.
Several times each day you are faced with a choice. Will you lead, or will you follow? Make the choice that is right for you. Don't let it be made for you by others. And if you find you often choose the role as follower, do not complain about the lack of leadership.
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