“Leadership is not a rank or position to be attained.Leadership is a service to be given.”
Adopted from Simon Sinek’s book titled “Together is Better”
Category: Motivational
-
Great quotes of the day
“There is only one way to avoid criticism:do nothing , say nothing and be nothing” – Aristotle
Adopted from Simon Sinek’s book titled “Together is Better”
-
Leadership lessons of the day
“Leadership is not about being in charge”.Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge” – Simon Sinek
Adopted from Simon Sinek’s book titled “Together is Better”
-
Relationship between “fulfillment” & sense of purpose
The human brain is naturally oriented to respond positively when shown a “sense of purpose”.
Agree it or not this is how our brain is known to respond right from the caveman times.
Needless to say , fulfillment happens when our brain senses a true purpose.This is when the chemical named “oxytocin” flows and provides true fulfillment.
Adopted from Simon Sinek’s book titled “Together is Better”
-
What makes “COSTCO” an “infinite minded” player?
COSTCO’s investment in people in creating a unique work culture has paid off in the long run.
James Sinegal , a truly infinite minded leader , obsessed with creating “an employee first” culture much against the wishes of Wall Street gurus , has shown again as to how an infinite mindset is indeed the way forward in playing the “infinite game” of business.
This is in stark contrast to the leadership strategy of GE CEO , Jack Welch who in the heat of “dopamine” shot was hell bent on short term results even at the cost of employee satisfaction.
Focusing on people centered long term goals may not reap benefits immediately , but when done in the right manner as in the case of COSTCO increases the relevance and longevity of the organization.In the long term the results are visible and more than outdo the results of finite minded organizations for e.g. GE.
Simon Sinek highlights COSTCO’s example on many a occasion in his book titled “The Infinite Game”
The link below has outlined how COSTCO’s investment in people has paid off in the long run.
Source – mitsloan.mit.edu
https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/how-costcos-obsession-culture-drove-success
-
What caused GE’s downfall ?
GE’s fall in market capitalization over time is not something that should surprise us.
Jack Welch the CEO of GE loved playing the “finite game” with most emphasis given to short term performance and financial numbers.
Gradually this finite mindset , with the metrics focused on performance , pitted the individual employees against one another.The work culture started deteriorating and in turn employees lost faith in the work culture.
This was inevitable keeping in mind that the game of business is an “infinite one” with employees as the drivers of growth and success.
Had it not been for the $139 bail out given to GE by the US Government in 2008 , the once iconic company would have been history by now.
Simon Sinek in his book titled “The Infinite Game” outlines the finite mindset of Jack Welch and how it eroded the work culture of GE and hence led to the downfall of the once iconic organization , in the long run.
Please find below the links that highlight the shortsightedness of Jack Welch as a leader that has landed GE in a quagmire.
Source – theweek.com
https://theweek.com/articles/761357/fall-ge
Source – foxnews.com
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/general-electric-the-worst-bailout-in-the-world
-
What is unique to “The Container Store”?
The Container Store’s unique “employee centered” work culture has enabled it to be known as one of the best workplaces.
Source – consciouscompanymedia.com
The link gives us insights as to how embracing wellness at the workplace has enabled the store to develop a legendary infinite minded culture.
During the recession of 2008 , the employees were willing to cut corners in order to save job cuts.Executives entitled for expensive business hotels sacrificed them for cheap hotels in order to help save fellow employees from getting fired , during the tough times.
Simon Sinek , in his book titled “The Infinite Game” , cites various examples of “The Container Store” and its unique employee centered work culture that has made it well equipped to play the infinite game of business.
-
Does “hitting a goal” give us fulfillment?
Human beings right from the caveman times have been social animals always craving for human bonds
With the rise of “nuclear families” & focus on short term goals we have started becoming more self centred
In the modern day hitting goals , short term targets are given lot of priority.This is like addiction and is like a “dopamine” shot.This can never give us true fulfillment since we cannot trick the human brain.
True fulfillment results when we do something for others out of generosity expecting nothing in return.This is when “oxytocin” flows and makes us realize the true value of human bonds
Adopted from Simon Sinek’s book titled “The Infinite Game”
-
“Work culture” & its two components
Culture in any work environment is a function of two essential components:
1) Values & 2) Behavior
A value system is nurtured by the leadership.If the value system encourages a long term infinite mindset it has a wonderful effect and makes people feel safe and encouraged.The vice versa is true as well
The value system inculcated and nurtured has a direct impact on behavior of employees.If the value system is strong it leads to trusting teams where the behavior is that of co-operation and collaboration.If the value system is weak and short term oriented , people mistrust each other , hide information and micromanagement dominates.
Thus culture has a huge role to play in getting best out of employees
Adopted from Simon Sinek’s book titled “The Infinite Game”