Leadership Potential: What Do You Celebrate?
In my first job after marriage, I worked in a non-climate controlled warehouse with a guy named Terry. Terry was significantly older than me, had worked in this particular warehouse for a long time, and was one of the most insecure people I’ve ever met.
He wanted to run the warehouse in the worst way, building his kingdom of haz-mat suites and pipe fitting. His strategy was this:
- Gather as much information as possible.
- Withhold gathered information from as many as possible, especially if said information is critical.
- Disseminate information at strategic times to make yourself look good, and everyone else looks bad.
I left that job with gladness and joy in 1993. I don’t know if Terry was ever able to run the warehouse.
For the sake of future employees at that company, I hope not.
I don’t recommend spending precious time attempting to develop potential leaders incapable of celebrating the successes of others.
This person’s leadership potential is asphyxiated by ego and insecurity.
Work with people who recognize and celebrate the contributions of others.
Giving credit and praise to others and expressing gratitude costs nothing.
The return on these two simple activities is astronomical.
