I was in Starbucks sitting across from a veteran in the media industry. This man had been a news anchor, led within local newspaper organizations, and led individuals within Gannett’s organization the publisher of USA Today, and presently has been leading the publication and distribution of periodicals that serve local community business leaders. With all this experience I wanted to learn his lessons on leadership.
VISION
Like any leader would suggest, one has to have a vision. Mike has a vision for where he wants to be personally and where his business is going. At times he has had such a strong vision for his community that he sought the opportunity to serve the public through local government. One does not enter that experience nor into developing their own business without a clear vision.
RELATIONAL INTERACTION
Culture.
Leaders create the culture by how they respond, react, and relate. As we talked Mr. Corbett shared his preferred style of leadership. He has experienced authoritative leadership, but personally strives to collaborate and persuade people. If leadership is influence, then I suggest this is the best way to lead. As we build strong relationships we will be more effective at leading others.
We discussed two ways individuals may lead.
Authoritative: Control others and lead by fear
Collaborative: Depend on people’s pride and professionalism and lead by relationship with vision
As a small business owner Mike uses the latter style with those he contracts with to help him produce his publications. This method builds trust and helps work to flow more efficiently.
While in a management role he would spend more time training and holding individuals accountable to specific goals. As a business owner he strives to collaborate and empower his independent contractors with a clear vision of what he wants accomplished. Both approaches are needed, but the situation dictates which to use.
INNOVATION
“The joy is in creating, not maintaining.” Vince Lombardi
Large and small business can operate differently at times. Through his career he learned that a good leader will help and provide room for innovation. The leader will provide direction, but an empowering leader will allow room for individual creativity.
While discussing the concept of innovation Mike suggested two ways of approaching it. One way to innovate is changing the model and tweaking. This can be needed and helpful, but Corbett suggested that leaders need to create new ideas and not just tweak what exists. The challenge for some leaders is the ability to be nimble. Leaders of large organizations have to find ways to be nimble and relevant in an ever-changing market/world or face the possibility of being irrelevant as some portions of the media industry have realized.
How are you leading? Do you have a clear vision for your organization or team? The hardest person to lead is ourselves. How is your personal vision? Do you collaborate or control in your leadership? What do you do to foster an environment open to creativity with your organization or team? Share with me and if you want me to come help your team’s leadership then contact me today. Lead well.
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