The Greatest Leadership Gap

“Bobby, I want you to come in and ‘fix’ my people.”  As I have mentored CEOs, presidents, owners, and other key leaders, this is the most common initial request that I hear.   

What about you?  Do you ever want someone to come in and “fix” your people?  Have you ever looked in the mirror and asked yourself, “I want someone to come in and ‘fix’ my people?”  Take another serious look in the mirror at yourself to raise your self-awareness.  Can I suggest that your people are merely a reflection of you? 

The Truth 

Would you give me permission to speak truth to you?  Fellow leader, you are the one who needs to be “fixed”. 

In his book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, best-selling author, John Maxwell, explains about The Law of Magnetism – Who You Are Is Who You Attract.  He goes on to say, “If you want to attract better people, become the kind of person you desire to attract.”  

The Greatest Gap 

John Maxwell nailed it about your own personal growth when he said, “The greatest gap in the world is knowing and doing.” 

I have observed… 

Every leader can achieve what they have always “wanted” by changing how they think about what they “need”. 

The Difference 

The following chart details the differences between needs and wants. 

Needs/Wants Comparison Chart

[table id=7 /]

Needs and wants are separate forces that compel action for satisfaction. Needs are principles that, if not met on time, the survival of the leader/organization is at stake.  Whereas wants are something for which the leader craves. However, their wants do not challenge the leader/organization’s survival if not satisfied. 

Needs can be distinguished from wants based on their level of importance.  Needs are of the utmost in the order of importance.  However, a leader will often contend that his or her wants are of immense importance even though they may, or may not, be able to obtain them. 

Movie Wisdom   

At the beginning of The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy wants out of Kansas.  She wants to be in a more exciting place.  By the end, she realizes that she needs to be surrounded by her family and friends. 

At the beginning of Star Wars Episode IV, Luke wants adventure and something external.  By the end, he realizes that what he needs is trust (in himself, others, and the force), which is something internal. 

The Leadership Need  

Do you want to grow your business? Do you want to achieve successful results that you have never seen before? Then the first person you need to work ON is staring you in the mirror each morning! 

Leadership Paradox:  Most leaders believe their first job is to grow their business.  The truth is you need to grow first YOU. 

Recently, I’ve been writing about the ON/IN principle and that each of us need to… 

When you work ON the business, you take time to remove yourself from the daily grind of working IN the business. This enables you to think about things on a higher level and make intentional plans about your life and business. 

Working ON, not just IN, the business consists of a three-part planning strategy: 

• Grow yourself

• Grow your people 

• Grow your business 

Thinking for a Change 

As the leader, your ability to achieve what you have always wanted requires you to accept the need to get focused with the ON/IN principle by changing “how” you think.  

The thinking for a change process starts with the understanding that everything begins with a “thought”.  

When you change how you “think” and you “act” on that new thinking for 30 to 60 days, you will develop a “habit” which eventually shape who you are, your character. 

Once you embrace this thinking for a change process you will discover why… 

I believe you, as the leader, are now ready to get working ON, not just IN, the business.  Let’s first “fix” you, then focus on your people, and finally, you will be able to turn your attention toward your business. 

Have you been looking in the mirror?  What do you see?  Do you see the reflection of your people in you?  Please leave a comment <here>.