Читать книгу The Faithful Manager: Using Your God Given Tools for Workplace Success - Anthony E Shaw - Страница 17

One of my colleagues, a senior manager at a firm where I led human resources, sent the following e-mail:

“My managers and I have learned much from you over the years and our company has become a significantly more professional and effective place of business as a result of your contribution. Last night on the way home I was thinking about some of the many lessons learned from T(ony) S(haw):

1.Walk softly and carry the right-sized stick

2.Listen more, talk less

3.Fairness trumps everything

4.Ethics are not unprofitable

5.Our human resources are all we have to offer at the end of the day

6.You can always grow, and you should always do so

7.Ethical choices are not tough to discern. They are (or should be) very clear.

8.Always lead by example

9.Respect everyone

10.Assume good intent, but document everything!”

When I read this e-mail I was touched beyond words. I’m a fairly sentimental person to begin with but what touched me wasn’t his praise (although I appreciated it). What really got to me was his ability to distill in ten neat phrases so many major elements of what I had been preaching for so many years. Like the Yonkers resident who stood up unsolicited to thank my office for plowing the snow, this colleague’s thoughtful words let me know I had done some good.

The best managers are leaders and the best leaders are teachers, gifted folks who give something of themselves back to their colleagues. When you are authentic in your relationships with yourself and others, and you give from your life experience, a lesson, a story, a gesture, an empathic ear, a kind word, an honest criticism, sympathy, support, appropriate discipline, you have given from your soul.

My colleague’s ten elements illustrate the qualities of a true leader.