Precious lives are in your care

I’ve been humbled. I encourage you to listen to my upcoming interview with Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, on my Monday Mastermind show and you will quickly see why. My interview with Bob has truly changed the way I look at leading my people, and I hope it will do the same for you. I’ve found over the years, through your feedback, that subscribers to this publication tend to care about people, so I believe you will find this interview very insightful and even moving.

 I thought I cared about my associates. I give leadership talks every month. I’m averaging about 48 a year and after listening to Mr. Chapman, a successful leader of a billion dollar company, I realized that I have a lot yet to understand. You can never really arrive with this leadership stuff; you can only get better. After interviewing Bob, what truly resonated with me was his intense sincerity for helping people achieve personal and professional enrichment and purpose through the context of his business.

 He calls this approach “People Centric,” and it has changed how I look at leadership. Before Bob’s influence in my life, I thought I understood leadership. I understood it cerebrally. I’ve read all the books so I guess I’m a great leader! Oh boy, was I woken up. The biggest point he made that resonated with me is to look at your employees in the same way you look at your children. Raising a family and raising a business are the same.

 I know that last statement may sound condescending to some with the notion that adults are children. Perhaps some of you translated it from a workaholic point of view with business being as important as family. If you did, you interpreted it wrong.

Bob sees everyone as a precious human being. Like a parent sees their children. We raise our kids to be self-motivated and independent thinkers. Then they grow up, get a job and are told what to do every day. That’s not right.

 Please listen this coming Monday or sign up for my free podcast so it comes automatically to your iPod. I am joining Bob in a crusade to create purpose-driven workplaces. Will you join us?

 Joe Kiedinger

 ACTION PLAN: Tune in Monday for Bob’s interview—it will definitely be worth marking in your calendar. I guarantee it!