I was asked by the Greg McKeown, co-author of the Wall Street Journal Bestselling book – “Multipliers – How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter” for my advice to the President of Chile as to what to do right now regarding the massive civil unrest, protests, and violence (even killing) they are currently facing.
Well, what a huge topic. So instead of too many details, I put some thoughts to paper for any politician or leader to consider when it comes to solving problems and leading people…
(what I have written is no way complete or comprehensive…just some first initials steps in a generic fashion…who am I to advise a president 🙂
for what it is worth…here are my suggestions to anyone in the business of leading that wants to make quantum leap…in other words, is looking for that next “big” thing that will make a significant difference in their life, their business, their organization, even their country. I am speaking about the paradigm shift…shifting from leadership… from leadership to servantship.
Subject: Your Genius Required
Hi Ward,
If you were advising the President of Chile as to what to do right now, what you suggest?
http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/08/26/chile-politics-strike-death-idINN1E77P01X20110826
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/9815683
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/chile/index.html
Cheers,
Greg
Hi Greg
Oh man – where do I start? What a mess – but then, where is it not a mess
People need hope. I would advise the President that he needs to step up to the plate and be the CHIEF of HOPE
and he is the CHIEF DOT CONNECTOR
He needs to bring hope to the country and their trading partners asap…and execute relentlessly on the vision
I will keep this strategic and short…if you want more…just ask.
Vision –
I believe it starts with a crystal clear vision. … a sustainable civil society
This resonates with me… Sustainable Civil Society I think the rest of what is need fits within these 3 words
I then see…
Peace – wellness – prosperity – harmony – happiness – love – legacy
He needs to immediately reconnect to the timeless principles that his community has embedded within their culture – just repackage quickly on a go forward basis
I think the quicker he can show the greatest humility of a leader – listening, the better. The quicker he listens and then acts on the low hanging fruity the better. I have a saying in policing
You mess up
You fess up
You dress up
Time to listen, fess up and dress up. Right or wrong in his mind – he is wrong as far as the public is concerned.
The keys I see are (1) partnerships (2) prevention and (3) initiative taking
Act on low hanging fruit – show action, momentum and genuine servant leadership that he cares and will change.
Start immediately and apologize to the country for not listening and for being disconnected
Then, build short term, mid term and long term strategies to begin the turn around. Execute simultaneously on all fronts.
So
What would I do
I would personally watch some video clips / readings of the some of the world’s most respected elders – wisdom clips of some the greatest servant leaders of our time. This would ground me on where I need to readjust / realign – reconnect. http://www.theelders.org/
I would bring together my team and share my “ah ha” moments and the changes that we need to bring about together. No involvement – no ownership. So the team needs to be included right from the “get go”. I cannot stress how important it is to get your team to believe in the vision.
I would be relentless on meeting – listening – building trust – showing “we care” and acting on gaps… you got to know there are several things to show the good will that they could do with the stroke of a pen.
I believe the rest will come slowly – once trust is established
and this does not occur overnight… and here is the presidents and any politicians challenge – they operate in a 3 – 4 year election cycle. The system does not support the long term – “the law of the harvest” type initiatives. Politicians are all about getting re-elected and they need immediate results (the quick fix). Many of the problems we face today are complex – generational problems. They cannot be solved overnight…sorry. 4 to 5 years will not “end crime” – it will not “end poverty” – it will not “end unemployment”. But you know what – a solid plan with deliverables immediately, short term, mid term and long term will succeed.
I have another saying that goes like this…”you cannot arrest your way out of a problem it took generations to create”
In the end – it comes down to courage of the leader to have the guts to be “The Chief of Hope – Chief Dot Connector” and most importantly… take the leap to the next level AFTER leadership.
Instead of leadership – this is about “servantship” (not servant leadership)… servantship
Simply put – your job is to serve.
You are a servant – serve your fellow man and woman, serve your team, serve your community, serve your customers…
Just Serve…
Serve and They Will Follow
I believe that the Key to True Happiness and Great Rewards is service.
and in return – as by-product of truly serving, you will…
– find your fountain of energy – reach your full potential
– uncover inner peace – create outer harmony
– bring your vision to fruition
– inspire your followers
– make a difference
– live your legacy
Servantship
This is truly the next quantum leap from leadership…our elders have had it figured out since the dawn of man…
How long will it take main stream society to wake up to the wisdom of our past?
Remember…
Every breakthrough first requires a break with the old paradigms, practices, and principles that tether people and organizations to the status quo.
More to follow…
www.servantship.com (coming soon)
cheers
Ward Clapham
