Doug Cartland's Four-Minute Leadership Advisory
Doug Cartland, Inc.
Caring
by Doug Cartland
01/14/2014

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I tread a dangerous path today. I'm tapping the realm of politics to make a leadership point.

 

Some years ago, I was speaking in Anchorage, Alaska-yes that Anchorage, Alaska. I was making a point on leadership as I'm wont to do since I happen to be a leadership consultant, coach, speaker etc.

 

Politics involves leaders so sometimes I will go there to demonstrate a point. In this case I exampled Bill Clinton. To be honest, I don't remember what I said. I don't even remember if it was complimentary or otherwise.

 

I do, however, remember, a woman descending upon me during my next break and hissing, "Well, you don't have to spew your political agenda on us while you're here!"

 

Sigh. People can be so sensitive.

 

So everyone sit back, relax and take a chill pill. Let me be clear; I am not espousing any political theory, pushing any political agenda nor favoring any politician. I'm simply using a political example to make what I hope is a cogent leadership point.

 

Everybody ok? Alright, here we go...

 

Why did Barack Obama beat Mitt Romney in 2012?

 

There are lots of theories. One is that Romney was simply a weak candidate who could not stop putting his foot in his mouth. Some say it was the perceived hypocrisy of Romneycare. Others opine that the Obama camp did a much better job then expected of getting out the minority vote.

 

You might recall that the Romney camp was absolutely sure they were going to win and were stunned when it was not so.

 

It is possible that all of the reasons above played into his loss. But there were exit polls that revealed something else.

 

Mark Halperin and John Heilemann do a dizzyingly great job of telling the story of the campaign in their book, Double Down: Game Change 2012. This is a follow up to their tome on the 2008 election called, Game Change.

 

In this most recent book they cited exit polls that had Romney clearly ahead of Obama in three of four critical candidate qualities. Romney was viewed by more people as a "strong leader" than President Obama. He also scored higher in "shares my values" and a "vision for the future."

 

Wow, if that's the case how did he lose?

 

It could very well have been because of the fourth quality. The question was: "Which candidate cares about people like me?" Obama crushed Romney in this question 81 to 18 percent.

 

Which candidate cares.

 

Now I don't know if candidate Obama really cared about me more than candidate Romney. I do know by a wide margin people perceived he did...and they responded to it.

 

People would. They respond to leaders who seem to care. Leaders need to unravel their strong impenetrable images, grow some empathy and show they care.

 

How? By talking with their employees, seeing life from their point of view, listening to them, looking them in the eye, acknowledging them, knowing their names, being committed to their professional growth, taking an interest in their lives, and making decisions with their well-being in mind.

 

I'm sure Romney felt he cared and I'm sure that those closest to him will tell you that he cared. The problem is it seems he did a poor job of showing it.

 

Maybe, like him, you may care but you simply have a hard time showing it. That won't do you or your employees any good.

 

Care isn't an emotion, it's an action. You can "feel" you care all you want, but if your care doesn't get into your actions and your interactions, you don't, in fact, care.

 

And people will know it. And you will lose them.
I'd love to hear from you. Reply to this email and let me know your thoughts. 

 

Sincerely,  

Doug

 

Doug Cartland, President
Doug Cartland, Inc.

 

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