Dr Ric Roi presented a very interesting concept during the recent NHRDN conference – about a practice that some of us would remember from the school geography book:
This is about the Timber industry and transportation of the logs. Logs cut in winter in the woods were stacked on frozen waterways. As spring arrived and the rivers opened, the logs jostled downstream. The newly cut pine logs would run aground on sandbars, deadhead on the riverbanks or jam in river rapids.
It is these jams which would create problems – if the logs got jammed the blockages would be so severe that it would stop the flow of the river. This is where professional loggers would come into picture – the trick was to identify that one key log that caused the jam – it need not be the biggest log but if one took care of that one log it will clear the entire traffic jam! Interesting!! Really interesting!!!
After listening to various speakers and their ideas my head was really in a spin – I guess that happens if you get too many ideas too fast.... With so many thoughts on leadership it was almost a jam in the mind.....and I was struggling to find that one key log that will clear the jam. What is that one basic underlying principle, that would ensure the smooth flow when it comes to leadership?
As I came home with my thoughts I saw my wife and teenage daughter in an animated argument....my teenage daughter has almost taken it as her mission to have an opinion on practically everything and sometimes it can be quite frustrating.....as I watched them with a mixed feelings of sympathy for my wife and admiration for my daughter, something clicked and I suddenly burst out laughing.....both of them looked at me quizzically but I did not care as I thought I had an answer.....
......When we have an argument with our kids, they feel comfortable to hold up an argument like an equal.... we may be the providers of basic necessities for them but we never bring up that issue in the picture. If we ever do....there is no fight then – there will only be fear and a sense of insecurity.... no views will come forth....no thoughts will be shared.... I guess same is true in the corporate life.... the true calibre of a leader should be gauged by an ability she/he has in allowing the voices to be raised rather than the number of followers that look up to the person.... This is the basis of a healthy relationship where people feel free and comfortable to voice an opinion, reason it out and then most importantly still live together comfortably - after all we still have a family dinner together even after a heated argument! An argument for a true leader is never a threat to a relationship but rather a healthy indication that there is trust and concern lest something should go wrong.
As I got key log to break the traffic-jam in my mind about leadership...I took my wife and kids out for treat while they wondered about the reason for my celebration!!!!
This is about the Timber industry and transportation of the logs. Logs cut in winter in the woods were stacked on frozen waterways. As spring arrived and the rivers opened, the logs jostled downstream. The newly cut pine logs would run aground on sandbars, deadhead on the riverbanks or jam in river rapids.
It is these jams which would create problems – if the logs got jammed the blockages would be so severe that it would stop the flow of the river. This is where professional loggers would come into picture – the trick was to identify that one key log that caused the jam – it need not be the biggest log but if one took care of that one log it will clear the entire traffic jam! Interesting!! Really interesting!!!
After listening to various speakers and their ideas my head was really in a spin – I guess that happens if you get too many ideas too fast.... With so many thoughts on leadership it was almost a jam in the mind.....and I was struggling to find that one key log that will clear the jam. What is that one basic underlying principle, that would ensure the smooth flow when it comes to leadership?
As I came home with my thoughts I saw my wife and teenage daughter in an animated argument....my teenage daughter has almost taken it as her mission to have an opinion on practically everything and sometimes it can be quite frustrating.....as I watched them with a mixed feelings of sympathy for my wife and admiration for my daughter, something clicked and I suddenly burst out laughing.....both of them looked at me quizzically but I did not care as I thought I had an answer.....
......When we have an argument with our kids, they feel comfortable to hold up an argument like an equal.... we may be the providers of basic necessities for them but we never bring up that issue in the picture. If we ever do....there is no fight then – there will only be fear and a sense of insecurity.... no views will come forth....no thoughts will be shared.... I guess same is true in the corporate life.... the true calibre of a leader should be gauged by an ability she/he has in allowing the voices to be raised rather than the number of followers that look up to the person.... This is the basis of a healthy relationship where people feel free and comfortable to voice an opinion, reason it out and then most importantly still live together comfortably - after all we still have a family dinner together even after a heated argument! An argument for a true leader is never a threat to a relationship but rather a healthy indication that there is trust and concern lest something should go wrong.
As I got key log to break the traffic-jam in my mind about leadership...I took my wife and kids out for treat while they wondered about the reason for my celebration!!!!
