I was standing around enjoying refreshments with a group of businesspeople recently. One asked, Have you heard what XYZ Co. just did. The company mentioned is known as a hot, fast growth, quality company. Everyone in the group leaned in a little to hear better. A few minutes later, someone chimed in with, Let me tell you what ABC Corp. did. This company is known as a company with problems. Everyone snickered; some rolled their eyes waiting to hear about another goof up. Since then, my thoughts have turned philosophical. I have been pondering: Why do some businesses grow while others, in the same industry, with the same products and services languish? Why is one company the industry leader in innovating new products, processes, or systems while others fall behind? Who do some businesses have customers that are happy to extol their virtues while we hear customers of other companies bash them with glee? Why do some companies have an aura about them while others create yawns? I believe the answers lie in the quality of company leadership. Companies that forge ahead are focused on creating their successful future. They are able to state the reason they are in business and why they should earn more business. They communicate their vision well, and work hard to execute it. They are focused, not drifting. It takes courageous leadership to create those hot companies. Leaders in those companies are carefully decisive. They have earned respect. They are able to inspire and motivate their staff to achieve what other organizations cannot even attempt. They have created a vision for their future and a path towards achieving it. I wish there was a magic potion or elixir to turn the average mope into a courageous, inspiring, decisive leader but Im not aware of one so I have to prescribe the next best thing a quiet, peaceful couple of hours with a pad of paper and pen. Craft one paragraph that describes your vision for the future of your company and another paragraph that describes what the company must do to accomplish that vision and you are on the road to becoming the leader of a great company. |
