Build a culture of Amazement

Build a culture of amazement

by Dirk Depré - July 3, 2019

“You’re not a leader until you have produced another leader who can produce another leader”.

When we look around on the internet, we get easily inspired by the quotes of Branson, Obama, Jobs, Sinek, … And of course there is much value in their sayings. Their quotes help us to pause, reflect and rethink some aspects of the things we, leaders, are doing or we, the employees, are expecting of leadership on a daily basis. So … let’s see how you can become a leader in this era of Agility.

There is a lot of value in these quotes nowadays. We’re right in the middle of rethinking how the leadership of an organisation should behave while we’re rebuilding organisations to become more Agile. Anyway, the presence of an inspiring leader inside organisations has always been important. But, it actually feels it just became more important than ever: the average lifespan of organisations diminishes, people change faster to new jobs, customers demand higher value, our mindset of instant gratification , … . These are really challenging times. The old recipes for success don’t work anymore in this 4th Industrial Revolution.

Be real

And one of the main things I feel leadership inside organisations should relearn is ‘to be real’ and (re)learn their employees about becoming reasonable again. Peter Drucker once quoted:”Management is doing things right, leadership is doing the right things.” I really loved this quote because it held so much truth in it. In our queeste to empower employees and build self-organising teams, we need to keep an eye on doing the right things. As a leader inside an organisation, people will copy the behaviour of those in charge. Are you up for that challenge?

“Agility is a way of thinking. It’s not about controlling and prescribing, but it’s about sensing and adapting.”, said Gidion Peters. Sensing and adapting, that's what I meant when I talked about being real! We expect this from our leaders simply said because we were always treated that way.

Let me explain...

I became a dad 3 years ago and as a dad, you’re also a leader. You might have to share the CEO seat of your personal tribe with your wife, but for your kids: you lead. You’re supportive, you coach and learn your kids about values. So, what’s actually the difference in the workplace when you look at your employees as your own family and try to treat them that way. Let’s not make a joke about this and say you have to treat them like kids, no, let’s talk about watching over them, protect them, sense what they need, help them to adapt if necessary.” Still up for the challenge?

Companies with this kind of leadership will go the extra mile. Simon Sinek said:”Happy employees ensure happy customers. And happy customers ensure happy shareholders—in that order.”

So .. maybe we, the leaders of today and tomorrow, should embrace the fact of becoming amazed again by the talent inside our own organisations. Just like I was and still am amazed by the talent of my own children. Let’s build a culture of amazement. Because in the end … The sum of intrinsic motivation of all individuals, is the power of culture for your organisation.

Turn your culture into growth with the right way of leadership. #Ohana #family #culture