The Key to Success in an Endeavor is the Ability to Lead Others Successfully

Everything rises and falls on leadership.  Whenever I make that statement the listeners are tempted to change it to, “Almost everything rises and falls on leadership.”  Most people have a desire to look for the exception instead of the desire to become exceptional.

Right now you lead at a certain skill level.  For the sake of teaching this principle, let’s say that on a scale of 1 to 10, your leadership skills reach the level of 6.  This is what I know:  The effectiveness of your work will never rise above your ability to lead and influence others.  You cannot produce consistently on a level higher than your leadership.  In other words, your leadership skills determine the level of your success – and the success of those who work around you.

It has been over 20 years since I read the words in Newsweek magazine from David Hartley-Leonard, then president of Hyatt Hotels: “If there is anything I have learned in my 27 years in the service industry, it is this:  99% of all employees want to do a good job.  How they perform is simply a reflection of the one for whom they work.”

This humorous story underscores the importance of effective leadership:  During a sales meeting, the manager was berating the sales staff for their dismally low sales figures.  “I’ve had just about enough of poor performance and excuses,” he said.  “If you cannot do the job, perhaps there are other sales people out there who would jump at the chance to sell the worthy products that each of you has the privilege to represent.”  Then, pointing to a newly recruited, retired pro-football player, he said, “If a football team isn’t winning, what happens?  The players are replaced.  Right?”

The question hung heavy for a few seconds; then the ex-football player answered, “Actually, sir, if the whole team was having trouble, we usually got a new coach.”