Eight Types of Leaders

 One of my favorite things to do is to speak to graduate students on the topic of leadership. It's a topic that always generates robust discussion, questions and problem solving. And, inevitably, those in the class will pose a problem caused by a bad leader. 

I thus used this visual in the most recent appearance that I made at the Integrated Marketing Communications grad class at the University of Kansas Edwards Campus in Overland Park, KS. How many of these types of "leaders" have you worked for and/or with?

We all have our own horror stories of working with a wind bag or a parrot or any of the other six shown here. Trust me, I've worked with them all. And, I've found ways to work with each, navigating the challenges associated with these eight in order to drive results.

Let's have a conversation about your leadership challenges. I'm confident that I can help.

"The World's Greatest Metronome"

 The death on Tuesday of Charlie Watts, drummer for The Rolling Stones, has made me reflect on his life and the steady leadership that he provided to the "world's greatest rock-and-roll band." 

Watts joined the Stones in 1963 and never missed a concert during that timespan of numerous tours, albums and appearances. News of his death caused a variety of tributes from fellow entertainers. The Who's lead singer, Roger Daltrey, said Watts was the "perfect gentleman, as sharp in his manner of dress as he was on the drums." And Joan Baez commented that he was "a prince among thieves" and " a gentleman through and through."

It was Questlove's (The Roots) tribute, though, that I found most interesting. 

"He's always been a solid foundational drummer. He was the anti-drummer. He wasn't performative to let you know how hard he was f----ing working. He gave you the basic foundation." 

Quest continued, "Watts became a legend not because of who he was associated with but because he's providing the foundation. Only real drummers know the value of Charlie Watts and the fact that he was the world's greatest metronome. Trust me, his 'less is more' technique is probably some of the most genius playing that you'll ever hear."

There is certainly a lesson in leadership in the way that Watts provided the foundation for a band that has been together for 58 years and which includes two enormous personalities (onstage and off) in Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. One can easily make the case that the Stones would not have been "the Stones" without the talent - and quiet leadership - of Charlie Watts. Watts' place in The Rolling Stones is a lesson for all of us in how we perform, team...and lead.

Road Closed to Thru Traffic

  A week ago, a digital road sign appeared in my neighborhood saying “Street closed, August 12.” 

The notice caused a momentary, mental "hmmm" as I carried on with my mission of wherever I was going in my car. I gave the sign nary a thought after that one flicker of acknowledgment.

The date of August 12 came and I was once again in my car traveling the usual route when I came across a larger, more permanent sign in the road that said "ROAD CLOSED TO THRU TRAFFIC." My muscle memory told me to carry on because this is my normal route, right? I quickly came across another sign, across the entire road, that emphasized "ROAD CLOSED TO THRU TRAFFIC."

I grudgingly turned the car around and found an alternate route to my destination. While longer and less direct, I still arrived at where I needed to go.

Isn't this a metaphor for life these days? Isn't this a metaphor for what businesses and brands and organizations are dealing with as the pandemic hit, seemingly waned, and now is back in its continued disruption of our usual, chosen paths? How many saw an initial sign but carried on believing the challenge to be short-lived? Or, perhaps not believing that it was a challenge at all?

The longer, altered route may be less satisfying during the journey but the end result is often more rewarding given the challenge that's been overcome. While the longer way may not synch up with our desire for instant gratification or our muscle memory, it does satisfy the need to problem solve and to achieve the desired result.

Don't let the longer way get in your way.

When networking blows back on you

What do you do when you broker an introduction as part of a networking exercise only to have it go awry?

I was in a meeting yesterday with several marketing communications colleagues. At the conclusion of our session, one of them pulled me aside and diplomatically said "Hey, that person that you introduced to me via email never followed up. I just wanted you to know."

I'm sure my face displayed my frustration as I was mortified. I take great pride in making sure that anyone I recommend for a job or that I introduce to a colleague is someone that I truly vouch for and would hire myself, if given that opportunity.

There are many "how to" posts out there on networking and relationship building. However, none that I've seen focuses on the consequence of what happens when your recommended contact fails to follow up. How will my colleague, referenced above, react the next time I send someone her way? Or, will I even feel right about sending a recommended associate to her in the future?

The lesson, if you're the recommend-er, is to carefully and thoroughly vet your introduction. And, I'd suggest that as part of the networking process and agreement to broker an introduction comes a reminder to your recommend-ee that they have to follow up with an explanation as to why - that it's your relationship that is on the line here.

As for those who get recommended, my admonition is this - follow the hell up with the person to whom you've been recommended! You've been given a gift - accept it and take advantage of the opportunity.

Can you really manage a career...or simply try to guide it?

Last week I chaired a Kansas City International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) roundtable discussion with seven other marketing communications professionals on the topic of "managing your career." As I prepared for the discussion and subsequently listened to my colleagues during our coffee talk, it became very clear that "managing" a career seldom happens - it's more a case of trying to "guide" a career.

My IABC colleagues at this discussion ranged from a young, first job professional to those who had changed professions to those who were on the last few laps of their career journey and were trying to figure out "what's next?" And, what I expected to hear differed from what I took away from our conversation.

First, I was pleasantly surprised at how many felt positive about the career guidance they were receiving from their immediate supervisor. From personal experience as well as what was drilled into us at a former employer, the most important attribute of a job for employees is the quality of guidance they want from their immediate boss. Thankfully, the majority of my colleagues last week were upbeat about that aspect of their current career stop.

Second, almost all cited the continuing phenomenon of being asked to do more and being asked to do something for which they have little to no experience. All mentioned the spread-too-thin stress that they feel coupled with the sometimes request to do something for which they are not trained and for which the requestor doesn't understand the complexity of the task.

Finally, none of the attendees were seeking the silver bullet for achieving career success. Rather, they knew that their potential for success rested on networking, attending professional enrichment events such as this, and seeking counsel from others in their profession. In fact, all acknowledged that they do less "managing" and more "guiding" when it comes to career advancement.

As for what I told them, my advice focused on the following:

• Constant learning. Your job and the future jobs you will seek are changing. Find ways, especially with new and improved online learning tools, to stay current and push for new knowledge. Think ahead - consider where you think your career is going and learn accordingly.
• Know your audience. Just as you advise clients to know their audience, so too should you know yours. Figure out how best to relate to your boss and those you work with as well as those you will meet within the future pursuit of a new job.
• Manage your brand. Your personal brand is something that you can manage. Know your personal brand authority, i.e., who you are and what you can comment on with your social media presence. Don't under-estimate the importance of marketing yourself including your appearance, body language, attitude, energy, timeliness and attention to detail.
• Be self aware. Who provides you with unfiltered, objective advice and feedback? If you don't have that person, or persons in your life, you best find them...now.
• The power of networking. Reach out, make contacts and don't think of your interactions as transactional - think of them as mutually transformational where you're not only learning and gaining value but you are doing the same for your networking partner.

I'm always energized with these sorts of discussions and inevitably find a new contact or two that plays an important role in my own career navigation. And, as is usually the case, my going-in assumptions ended up being much different than my mindset after the discussion.

Thank you, Kansas City IABC, for giving me the opportunity to facilitate this discussion and for all you do for the marketing communications community in our region!

Who holds your mirror?

Last Friday, several friends and I got together for breakfast. Not unusual, I know, but what makes this group unique is that we all started out as business colleagues and are now close friends. We meet for breakfast once a quarter and use our time together to talk about everything from politics to civic issues to what's going on in our respective businesses. Our ranks include those who have started their own businesses to those who have risen through the ranks of large corporations.

I, personally, find this quarterly breakfast to be an injection of much-needed adrenaline as I admire each of these friends, respect their achievements, and closely value their opinions. If I need advice, chances are one or all of the guys around this table are high on the list of folks I would call.

Who's your adrenaline source for your life, be it personal and/or professional? Are there those in your immediate network that you can turn to, on any topic, and know that you'll get their unvarnished objective advice?

Everyone needs a support group in their life. Everyone needs to have the mirror held up to their face by someone they respect.

Who's your mirror holder? If you don't have one, I suggest you fill that position right now!

(Editor's note: Want to know more? Let's talk - I'd welcome the chance to chat about my thoughts on networking and managing your career.)

The Godfather turns 45

I had the opportunity this week to see The Godfather - again - on the big screen. Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is smartly bringing several classic movies to select theaters to be seen in the environment for which they were created - a movie theater. TCM's first offering was The Godfather in celebration of the 45th anniversary of this true classic.

The film was released in March 1972. I made the road trip that spring with a couple of buddies to the Glenwood Theater in suburban Kansas City to see this movie that had generated significant pre-release buzz. (And, remember kids - there wasn't an internet, TMZ or that Twitter thing back in '72.) My need to attend the movie had been piqued by my high school English teacher, who went off on a rant one day about the show's violence and its glorification of the Mafia. I exchanged a look with my pal in class that day that was "hell yeah, we need to see this movie!"

I sat enthralled for three hours in that massive movie theater (pre-multiplex) watching a story of family, loyalty, deceit, lies, honor and violence. I marveled at Marlin Brando's portrayal of the family patriarch, Vito Corleone, and was unsettled at how Al Pacino's character, Michael Corleone, evolved from returning war hero to cold-blooded heir to the godfather throne.

Like many of you, I've seen this movie on the small screen far too many times to count, whether through an intentional sit-down viewing to the stop-and-watch phenomenon when cruising channels and finding it on TCM. That's why I was so excited to see the film again in a theater - would it really stand the test of time in that environment?

The answer is a resounding "yes." The film captured me - again - for three hours. I was struck at how this film has ingrained itself in American culture, both through the themes that run throughout the movie and the sequel as well as the ultimate barometer - the phrases that have become a part of our language. All 30 or so of us in the theater knew that "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse" was coming, and it elicited a few chuckles given the "offer" to the movie mogul that followed. I mouthed the words to "...never take sides against the family again. Ever." when Michael admonishes his brother, Fredo, after a meeting with Moe Green in Las Vegas. And, I smiled when Clemenza told his underling, "Leave the gun; take the cannoli" after whacking an unsuspecting turncoat.

The Godfather has more than stood the test of time. It was released in what TCM on-camera host Joseph Mankiewicz called the golden age of movie-making - 1967 to 1974 - when this film and Godfather II plus other classics like Bonnie & Clyde, The Graduate, Cool Hand Luke, Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, The French Connection, and Chinatown were made. And, it and its sequel are the best of what that golden decade of movie-making had to offer.

The Godfather is also a story of redemption. The movie redeemed the career of Francis Ford Coppola and cemented the legacy of Marlin Brando. Coppola wasn't the studio's first pick, second pick or even third pick to direct the film, but ultimately made a two-movie classic with the original plus sequel. Brando was cast as Vito Corleone only after Lawrence Olivier declined the role and Brando agreed to a lowered salary and a bond to ensure that he would not delay production, given his notorious reputation for being difficult while on set. His performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor.

As Joe Fox, played by Tom Hanks, says in You've Got Mail, "'The Godfather' is the I Ching. 'The Godfather' is the sum of all wisdom. 'The Godfather' is the answer to any question."

The movie has withstood the test of time. It's language is ingrained in our culture. The ensemble cast turned in performances that helped define their careers. It is shown repeatedly on classic movie channels. It is simply the greatest movie ever made.