The pressure is growing…
The results are frustrating…
Stakeholder expectations are mounting…
Easy way out… Quit !
As per a data collected from nseinfobase.com and analysed by @economictimes, the churn of CEO and MDs almost doubled between 2013-2018 (This data is only for companies listed on NSE)(https://bit.ly/31NuTvY)
We also have examples of Shri V G Siddhartha, Shri B Ramanlinga Raju who despite of being some of the most respected doyens, gave up after riding the tiger for years.
So, is it the downturn, which is causing these apparent failures OR it is the politics OR is it the pressure of results ?
You definitely could say these are the contributing factors but are these new? Economic downturn, recession, change in market conditions..these are all risks of the game which everyone at the corner office is geared upto.
But then, where in, lies the problem???
The problem is the ‘Superhero‘ syndrome.
In a world, where we have thrived since childhood on super hero comics and tales (Chacha Chaudhary, Nagraj, Superman, Spiderman, Batman,Shaktiman)..we come to expect the same from humans too. Even Bollywood and Hollywood movies epitomize this superhero culture..
So, is it a surprise we try to expect the same from people that we work with:
Shareholder problem, call the CEO
Stock problem, call the CEO
Hiring problem, call the CEO
But does the CEO/MD have a magic wand to solve all the problems ?? Well, the bad news is NO
The problem is compounded by the executives themselves by showcasing ( During the interview and afterwards) as the self made Avatars, who has a god given gift to solve all the problems in the world.
The result of this culture:
But is there no way out. There indeed is:
and it involves a small tiny change. Just think 2Cs
“Communication and Collaboration”
In his book “Inviting Leadership” @DanielMezick, suggests that “command and control” leadership styles are less and less effective with each passing day as rapidly accelerating change, driven by technology, is disrupting the world of work and redefining the game of leadership.
Two minds think greater than one.
Involving your whole workforce ( I am not talking just the board and executive teams), not only gives you more ideas but it also creates an impromptu, spontaneous ownership with every team member, which gives your organization the foundation and strength to weather the storms.
And when I say this, I always get IFs and BUTs. Why? because we have been wired in since childhood to respect authority and experience! Without question!
Whatever the BOSS says is right..
It’s high time we break this Dogma around leadership… CEO/MD being the lone torch bearer, the head to crack when something goes wrong… and move on to something simpler yet effective
Invitational, open leadership where everyone is heard and everyone feels the ownership.
But that means “CHANGE” and every change causes Grief! And those who overcome this grief come out the winners.
As Walt Whitman once said:
“Not I or anyone else can travel the road for you, You must travel it yourself”
Start this new journey, O’traveller and the world would walk with you soon!