Beneath the Surface

My wife and I love the beach. She loves to find a nice shady spot, open to the breeze, pull out her book and enjoy the afternoon. She enjoys the view of the water, the sights and the sounds, and watching people as they enjoy their afternoon. That type of relaxation may please her, but it drives me insane.

I look out at that big ocean and I realize there is an undiscovered behemoth that covers three-quarters of our planet. I don’t want to sit there on the beach looking at it! I want to get in and discover whatever mysteries or adventures she may hold for me.

But that’s just me.


As leaders we must realize that the majority of people will see our organization with eyes from the shore. When it looks good it looks good. “If it’s not broke… don’t fix it!” Most of our direct reports are right there, enjoying the status quo. The status quo brings them a paycheck, it is stable and stress free. There are no dangers in the status quo. However, there is also a glaring lack of adventure.

As a leader, you have no business enjoying the status quo!

When was the last time that you forced yourself out of the status quo by diving deeper into your organization? When, while seeing the surface, did you last wonder what mystery lies beneath her? What is that scary thing that you may find, and have to wrestle with, that will propel your organization to new heights?

You can only know through discovery. So, what are you waiting for, jump in!

Had a little fun with a video version: Check it out!

[ PLAY VIDEO ]

Matching Subordinate Maturity to Leadership Style

What's wrong with this pictureA few years back management experts Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard proposed what became known as the Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Theory. The theory was really quite simple in that it set rules of engagement with direct reports based upon two scales. The first is maturity level of the led; the second, the leadership style of the leader. The theory is quite helpful and if you want to dig into the specifics of it, click the link below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hersey-Blanchard_situational_theory

Based on this theory, I would remind us as leaders that many of the “proper” leadership actions that we are told will make us great leaders may need revisiting. There is no one right leadership style. In fact, leadership is a language that must be tailored to the hearer in much the same way that an adult speaks differently with their peers than with a kindergarten class. The language is common, but the vocabulary and complexity of information changes for the maturity level of the hearer.

If you have been in a position of leadership for long you will find that people generally fall into a number of groups. These groups, or maturity levels can be defined in terms of knowledge, skill set, confidence and the ability to think laterally. Depending upon where the individual is, the leader must match his/her leadership style accordingly.

As leaders we must define ourselves-and our style-as well. Our measures come in the form of our abilities to tell people what to do, coach them on how to do it, participating with them, supporting them, or delegating at various levels.

The “Aha” here is that when we match the leadership level with the maturity level production grows exponentially. If we fail, we will grow frustrated at the deficiency of our direct report. When that happens, we must remember that their deficiency is not theirs but ours. We have failed to match our style to their ability.

The Basics

The reality is that the scale is a sliding one, but the pairing runs along these lines.

The direct report whom we find at the bottom of the maturity scale, marked by a lack of knowledge, skills or confidence to work and think on their own, require a leadership style of Telling or Directing. In other words, they need to be told what to do and how to do it.

Those at the next level of maturity are marked by a willingness to engage in the work but their skill level is slightly beneath the task. The corresponding leadership style is one ofSelling or Coaching. The leader must provide information and direction as before, but there is far more “communication” and the ability to sell the bigger picture.

The third level of maturity is marked by the “ready and willing” individual. They are excited to the task and get the big picture but need input and direction to avoid progression is the wrong direction. They also may not be fully confident in their abilities. The leader must take a Participatory or Support role with these individuals, sharing the big picture but at the same time allowing the individual to give input into the decision making process.

The fourth level of maturity are those who have a strong skill set, confidence in the task, and are driven to proactivity. The leader must respond by Delegation and givingOwnership. The leader must stay in a position of oversight but allows this individual to grow, create, imagine and produce.

There is a warning—for the leader—associated with this final level of maturity. The micromanaging of this fourth level individual will backfire, resulting in less that optimal productivity. Giving ownership to this individual can lead to breakthrough results!

Helmet On... Now Run!

Paragliding MirafloresIn 2008 I was in Lima Peru with my brother Robert. We had met there to continue on to Cusco and eventually hike the famous ruins at Macchu Pichu. While in Lima we made our way to the costal suburb of Miraflores. We spent significant time seeing the sights and walking the famous cliff-side Larcomar shopping district that overlooks the historic La Rosa Náutica restaurant on the pier below. Anyone familiar with the area knows that to the north is the beautiful Parque de Amor (Lover’s Park) and just beyond that lies one of the most spectacular views in all of Miraflores, the cliff-side park atParapente. Standing there, in awe of the view, I had no idea that two years later I would find myself leaping from the two hundred foot high cliff on the southwestern edge of the park.

Like all cliff-side parks, this spot offers spectacular views of the ocean, the island in the distance, surfers that look like little bubbles on the water two hundred feet below, and the sky. Oh the sky! The view of the sky here is amazing. There on the cliffs of Parapente you understand how small and how fragile you really are. In fact, the sky that you see from that place is unlike any sky you will ever see in your lifetime; It is riddled with paragliders. You see, the winds that rise from the two hundred foot cliffs can raise a paraglider to over one thousand feet without effort, making this one of the foremost paragliding spots on earth. It was amazing to watch the ease with which these daring men and women became a strange subclass of Aves. The wind would pick up these birds, and in what seemed a choreographed dance of wonder wove them, in and out, over and under one another in a ballet of spectacular color. It is a wonder to behold.

As leaders we must remember that when we have the necessary skills to lead, from the outside our leadership can look choreographed and beautiful. Like the paraglider finding the balance in the wind, his own presence in the mix of others, and the sheer magnitude of the environment our leadership can be organized and beautiful. However, like the paraglider, if any one element fails, the ballet becomes a tragedy. Loss of wind, loss of any one other glider’s sense of presence and location, these things can change the makeup of the environment to be hostile or even deadly. Standing on that cliff, that beautiful ballet of color reminded me of how an astute leader has the ability to balance all the elements found in his or her organization and create a thing of beauty.

Fast-forward two years…

There I was, on that same cliff at Parapente, nervous yet excited as I waited for the wind to pick up so that I could paraglide for the first time. I had been here the day before, waiting. No wind, no ride. This was my last opportunity, I was leaving for home tomorrow. The wind, though the wait was excruciating, eventually cooperated.

I stood there after having paid my $35 and thought, “What on earth did I just do?” The apprehension grew a bit as they placed a helmet on my head and I told the pilot my weight. He gasped as he calculated the conversion to kilos in his head and I saw his countenance change… Not reassuring! I guess the wind was not strong enough for a 225lb., 6’-4” gringo. He hemmed, he hawed, he looked down at the $35 in his pocket and said, “Well, we can try!” … “Wait a minute… WHAT!” Clearly he was not going to give back my $35 so that left only one option… Pray and GO!

So there I stood, fifty yards from the cliff with my pilot strapping me into a harness that is attached to the biggest kite one has ever seen. I remember looking at the cliff fifty yards in front of me, and thinking one solitary thought, “Like this helmet is going to help!” Then, he tapped me on the shoulder and yelled, “Run!” Hesitant, yet obedient, I ran toward the two hundred foot cliff hoping that the drag I was feeling was the fully inflated glider behind me. There was no way to know.

Gasp!

This is the only time in my life that a non-spiritual experience brought the diametrically opposed feelings of dread and tranquility and slammed them together in an instant. Running off that cliff, and the tightening of my harness signaled the beginning of forty-five minutes of elation, beauty and indescribable wonderment. During that forty-five minute journey we ascended to over five hundred feet, smoothly traversed every manmade obstacle, mountain and valley within miles and above it all, the view was spectacular. There was not a hint of post-Parapente fear. Once the final step was taken, the ride was bliss (the landing however is another story).

Looking back at that experience I realize how many things could have gone wrong and I would not have known what to do. I was privileged to participate in a grand adventure that was only made possible by a highly skilled and trained pilot. As a leader, you must remember that at times your people will experience the fear of the unknown as they try to go with you on your journey. They must learn to trust your expertise and experience. As you sharpen your skill set and grow as a leader, you will instill trust in your abilities and provide excitement for the adventure. However, the trust of your people is paramount.

Had I not trusted my pilot that day I would have feared for the entire forty-five minutes of my flight. But because I trusted both his judgment and his skill set, I experienced a life changing, smooth flying adventure.

It is not appropriate, as leaders, to throw our people a helmet and strap them to our vision or action, without first earning their trust in our ability to lead. Should we attempt to do so, they will sit when we yell, “Run!”

Afterthought:

Was there risk even though the pilot was skilled and trained? Absolutely. That is the way of leadership and that was the reason for the helmet. Not every decision is going to play out the way you anticipate that it will. Some—by luck—will gain altitude, but many of them will plummet. This fact is the reason why it is so important to constantly refine your leadership qualities. Either train and train hard, or get off of the cliff!

VIEW THE VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id04I013TVA

Discover the Unknown

The Amazon Rainforest is perhaps the most remarkable place on planet earth. It consitutes 54% of the earth’s total rainforest. It covers 2.5 million square miles, nine countries and produces 20% of earth’s oxygen. There are riches in the amazon, most of which await discovery.

- One third of the planet’s bird species reside here.

- Half of all plant species, some ten million, can be found here.

- Over 3,000 different edible fruits are here in the forest.

- Yet only about 200 of them are well known to the western world.

- It is estimated that there are approximately fifty undiscovered tribes within this lush, mysterious place.

Every tributary, every trail leads to new discoveries and a wealth of new information. It is the most undiscovered resource on the planet and as leaders, we would do well to learn from her.

When was the last time you explored your people as you would the Amazon? Whether you are aware of it or not, they are your greatest asset.

What talents, what wisdom, what new insights lie deep within them?

What treasures can you uncover to transform your organization in new ways?

You will never know the depths of your people without intentional, adventurous inquiry. Sit with them, begin to explore... The treasures that you will uncover will blow your mind and transform your leadership awareness as never before. Tap into the wealth, start the journey.

Trickle to a Force

High up in the Andes of Arequipa Peru, near a simple trickle marked with a white cross, is a melting snowflake. If that snowflake melts and drips to the West, it ends up in the Pacific Ocean. If it drips to the East, it begins a 4000 mile journey to the Atlantic, known as the Amazon River.

It’s an amazing thought that a melting snowflake on the cliff of a mountain called Nevado Mismi eventually becomes the world’s largest river. As the water joins with other waters is steadily grows to become a force. Until, at last, 219,000 Cubic Meters per second rush into the Atlantic ocean on the eastern coast of Brazil.

As leaders, we should remember that each little spark of an idea has the potential to become a transformational force in our organizations. We must constantly scan the horizon, asking; “What other ideas can I bring together with this one to create something bigger, something almost uncontrollable.” Truly transformational leaders possess the innate ability to see the bigger picture and assimilate data while on the journey. Just like the amazon, as you combine, connect, and let thoughts incubate, the sum of those thoughts become greater than their parts.

The next time you have that small, lateral thought, STOP! Throw it out to your team or your direct reports. See if the streams of thought come together as something larger, and continue to let it grow, turning your Trickle into a Force.

Refresh and Renew

The Malecon 2000 is an amazing sight. A completely redesigned, vibrant place to which travellers from the world over come to walk, shop, mingle and be seen. Located in Guayaquil Ecuador this riverside boardwalk has become the country’s safest, most frequented site for both tourists and locals. However, this was not always the case. Like so many Urban Renewal Projects, the riverfront was transformed because someone had a vision of what it could be. For years, the crime rose, the building became dilapidated, and finally someone said “Enough!” Because someone had vision, people were mobilized and monies generated.

As a leader, when was the last time you looked at your organization with eyes from the outside.

When was the last time you asked yourself:

• How does my organization look to the outsider?

• What do others see that I do not see?

• When will I finally say “Enough!?”

First impressions rule the day and the sad truth is that many of us have lost individuals because of that first impression. Whether it be something as small as a product or as large as an organization, you have a very small window of time to leave your mark.

It has been said that any prospect makes their decision in the first minute of the encounter and the remainder of that precious time justifying why, or why not, your product or service is for them.

If necessary, bring an outsider in, to speak frankly to your deficiencies. Eyes from the outside can see things that you never will. They can tell you what you don’t know.

If your organization is to be all that it can be, always remember to “Refresh and Renew.”

Missing the Mark

Mitad del MundoIn 1736 French explorers set out on an expedition ordered by the King to prove or disprove the prevailing theory of the day, that the earth was not perfectly round but oval in shape, with the circumference at the equator being smaller than if measured through the earth's poles. Two teams were dispatched, one to the north pole, the other to the north of Quito Ecuador. Triangulation was done in the Andes along the tops of Ecuador's many volcanos, measurements were made, and the exact middle of the earth was marked. Today we call it the equator, and those French explorers marked the very spot at San Antonio de Pinchincha approximately half the distance between Quito and Ecuador's northern border with Colombia. Much effort went into these measurements and the marking of the earth's center was heralded as the greatest human accomplishment of it's day.

In 1978 a huge monument was constructed at the very spot where these explorers had marked. Several Interpretive Centers and Museums surround the great granite monument and it is today one of the major tourist attractions for those visiting Quito. Thousands come each year to straddle the line, one foot in the Northern Hemisphere, the other in the Southern. The tragedy, unbeknownst to these thousands of tourists...

The monument is in the wrong spot!

All that work, thousands of visitors who never actually accomplished their goal of straddling the equator, the cost of constructing the monument, all for naught! Problematic mapping datum and current GPS technologies have shown that the actual equator is 240 meters to the north. Thousand of tourists, coming from Quito have failed in their endeavor because of faulty information.

As leaders we must remember to acquire all available data before making a decision. To check and double check the facts. We must intimately know our current reality and embark upon our quest with adequate tools and resources to accomplish the task with excellence. If we fail to commit to these foundational actions we also run the risk of...

Building the Monument while Missing the Mark.

Afterthought:

So what now? How does Ecuador solve the problem? They don't! They propagate the lie. Thousands still come. They pay for this adventure and are not even aware they have been deceived. You see, the monument is too costly to relocate or to move. It makes for nice pictures!

Ask yourself...

How vested are you in a lie?

Is it time to do the right thing?

What happens when they find out the truth?

We must be leaders of integrity.

SEE MY VIDEO TITLED "MISSING THE MARK" FILMED ON LOCATION AT THE MITAD DEL MUNDO MONUMENT IN QUITO ECUADOR. THERE ARE TWO VERSIONS, ONE FOR LEADERS AND ANOTHER FOR CHURCH PLANTERS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FYYn-QJ9To

OTHER VIDEOS

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rickbcurtis&aq=f