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Strat4 - Strategic Leadership & Solutions for Growing Companies
Monday Morning CEO
Week of April 11, 2011
"I've come to the conclusion that whats inside a person doesnt count because nobody can see it."
-Dilbert ( Dobgert's Quote from the cartoon )
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to Read Previous Issues of Monday Morning CEO from our Archives
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 Greetings!
If you happen to be a regular reader of my weekly update - you may find it odd that I would quote Dilbert. My quotes are always carefully selected - and have some relevance to the issue of Monday Morning CEO - and many from some of the greatest thought-leaders of our time. The answer to "why Dilbert?" is in the lead article below. But it also speaks to an important aspect of leadership and self-awareness.
Last week I recommended Leadership and Self Deception on my "must read" list to you. I believe leadership is a combination of your presence, your connectedness to the people you lead and your ability to remain fully resourceful (in the Strozzi Leadership Training www.www.strozziinstitute.com/ I strongly endorse- that resourcefulness is described as a matter of being centered - or in balance). There is some truth to the quote above, in that, as leaders, we must demonstrate to people what is inside of us. Leadership is all about guidance - and for people to trust that guidance - you must show them why you deserve their trust. This is a part of what i call "Deliberate Leadership." Unless you can enlist volunteers to follow your vision - you have nobody and nothing to lead.
While researching this issue, I came across a website that listed real-life "Dilbert" sounding quotes sent in to a magazine by readers. These were reported to be actual quotes from managers in real companies. Sometimes truth is not only stranger - but funnier than fiction. This was my favorite: "Teamwork is a lot of people doing what 'I' say." - attributed to a marketing executive at Citrix Corporation.
As a CEO the best way to train your managers to be a better leader is to be one yourself. In any organization, the leader sets the standards that form the foundation that the entire culture is built upon. What you tolerate is viewed by your employees as what you endorse. Or as Vistage Speaker, Mike Murray put's it. "You ARE what you tolerate."
Besides Dilbert - and why you shouldn't teach your cat to do your taxes, there is a worthwhile video that attempts to put the budget debate in Washington into some perspective. It was sent to me by a friend and Vistage Chair in St. Louis - who reminds me to note that the message is not intended as a political endorsement of either side of the argument - but a valuable way to get our heads around something that most all of us have a difficult time putting into perspective.
The Vistage CEO Confidence Index has also been released showing that "two thirds of al CEOs surveyed believe the economy has improved," and "expect further gains in the year ahead. This is very good news that is consistent with what I am hearing from the CEOs that I work with.
Download the Vistage CEO Confidence Index - Q-1, 2011 by Clicking Here
As always, wishing you a great and successful week ahead. 
Philip R. Liebman Managing Director, Strat 4 Group Chair, Vistage International P.S. Be My Guest on April 26th. Glenn Waring will be leading a workshop of Effective Financial Management for CEOs. This is a must-attend program whether you are financially astute - or needing to gain a better understanding of your financials, get better control of your financial reporting, how to work with your accountants or negotiate with your bank. If you curious about becoming a Vistage Member - this is a perfect opportunity to get a look behind closed doors at what my members experience every month. I have a very limited number of guest opportunities. Please call me right away to determine if you are qualified - and for availability. |
This is the video I mentioned above. Again, this is presented without any endorsement of either political position surrounding the budget debate in Washington - though one can easily interpret that there is a bias in the presentation of the video itself. But it speaks to the fact that in a democracy our citizens should be able to make informed decisions - and often it is impossible to do so without really understanding the issues. I hope you find this as interesting as I do.