I was sitting across from this Lebanese leader in a coffee shop learning about leadership. Fadi began his career as trained electrical engineer, but soon shifted to programming and writing 
software. While growing his business he had the opportunity to learn how to lead a team of people to achieve greater results.
Through over thirty years of leading The Brookfield Group Fadi has learned many leadership lessons. Throughout the years a few principles have guided his experience to build and sustain a successful business in the technology sector.
Help others achieve their goal
Leaders have vision for the organization’s direction. They may even have specific steps they expect people to take to reach the goal. Clarity of purpose for the organization is essential, but Fadi emphasizes the importance of helping others achieve their goal.
As leaders understand what their people want they are better able to align the organization’s vision with what is important to the individual. This alignment creates a learning atmosphere where the leaders and those being led continually learn from one another. This culture also helps people feel welcome, encourages teamwork, and everyone accomplishes more.
Customers are part of the organization
Imagine being a coach on a sports team. If you believe the team’s job is to help you win and look better how might that make the players feel? What would happen if your mindset shifted to seeing each member as an integral part of the organization? Let’s take this further. What if a coach saw each fan as a part of the organization.
You would probably have the New England Patriots or Cleveland Browns. Loyal fans and relentless ambassadors even regardless of the team’s performance. Fadi was not suggesting having a poor organization or service with this principle. What he suggests is leaders look for ways to make the customer profitable.
When we seek to serve those we lead they feel a part of the organization. One specific way Brookfield Group creates this environment is by understanding the client’s needs so they can provide a solution that will make the other organization profitable.
Give Back
Fadi is not the only leader I have talked to who lives by this principle. I have found great organizations live by a principle of generosity. Small businesses to large corporations. When a leader not only values generosity, but also models it this behavior has a positive impact throughout the organization. This idea reminds me of the famous quote by Zig Ziglar:
“You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.”
This is the mantra of giving back. As leaders give, they reap the rewards of generosity which are goodwill, appreciation, and respect among others.
One final major lesson Fadi has learned as a leader that he was willing to share is:
“Be true to you and own your own issues.”
As leaders we must be authentic and self-aware enough to accept responsibility for the problems we may create. Show up each day as your most authentic version of yourself because there is only one you and no one else can be you. Be great at you and lead as you while continually growing and adapting.
When you look at these areas what is one way you can grow in any of these areas? Need help thinking into this? Contact me for a thirty-minute thinking partner session to grow your leadership. Lead Well.
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