Timothy Pascoe - date: 2011/03/08 08:06 am

Dear John, Joseph, Goodnews and Sabina,

Thank you all for your comments. Each very interesting. Clearly food is an important enticement for all of us.

John ... as you say, it's about the right approach for the right time. Not just doing what we always do!

Joseph ... there's no way I could disagree with the point you make re the fibre needing to make sense to the people you're leading. The short-hand reference (to bottom-line) in the Potshot is about the need for the leader to remember the key commercial (and other) metrics the orgganisation has to satisfy ... not so much how these are translated. Your focus on that is critically important.

Goodnews ... like Joseph, you highlight the need for the right balance and presenting both sugar and fibre in the right way so they motivate - neither coddling nor offending. A delicate balance.

Sabina ... I like you sensitive approach to making adjustments to the diet - ensuring wise outcomes.

It's interesting how powerful a metaphor (or story) can be for helping us think about an issue like leadership. It allows other parts of our mind to engage and contribute.

Again, many thanks to all of you.

Timothy

Sabina Asare- Browne - date: 2011/03/07 09:03 pm

Sugar is sweet,satisfies the tongue for those who like it, but too much can lead to health hazards. Sugar is added to certain foods and not all.The addition of fibre rich diet sustains all the vital organs health and well being of the individual. But the diet should not be just fibre. If we aim to avoid diabetes iron difficency anaemia and other serious health problems we need the right mix of balance of a well balanced diet, sugar, fibres and other soft ingredients. Leadership should contain the right amount of ingredients in correct measurable proportions to sustain viability, consistnency, and vitality.If we concentrate too much on only sugar intake we could end up leaving out other essential ingredients which are rich in vitamins, minerals, rouphage, and carbohydrates all of which are essentail for a balanced diet, even a pinch of salt now and again brings out the true taste of food, even too much salt can damage the taste altogether. A healthy leadership checks the tea just to make sure too munch sugar has not been added,taste the food before adding salt,ensuring what and when to add when needed. leadership is about always checking, adding, taking away, adjusting,ensuring that Leaderhip is in the right balance and fit for the purpose.

Goodnews - date: 2011/03/07 03:44 pm

Sugar and fibre, for me represents managing the relationships with each of my team members in up-building, encouraging, and affirming ways, allowing for growth and learning (sugar). On the other hand, the fibre represents managing the achievement of the task, using the same upbuilding principles, highlighting what is in it for them, and their team, as well as their collective output, as part of the whole. They have to see the systemic nature of their contribution in building a complex and adaptive system, including the bigger contribution to the community. In South Africa it is about contributing to the architecture of the bigger socio-economic picture, and green economy (fibre).

Joseph Mullin, MBA Principal - date: 2011/03/07 12:23 pm

Timothy,
Other than focusing me on my diet and making me hungry, I find it an interesting question or should I say dilemma.

Since we are talking food I would have to say Frosted mini wheat!
The frosting is sweet but not too sugary. It is a sufficient quantity of all the factors you mentioned not to be taken advantage of.
The wheat side is woven into an intricate pattern of strength. Just the right amount of firmness where when you eat it it doesn't hurt the inside of your mouth.
Yes I drive for schedule, efficiency and effectiveness. Once I explain what is expected I follow up.
However! I must take exception with other facets of the fiber as you describe it.
Driving for the bottom line is a major mistake. It causes poor decisions and errors to be made at all levels. It is the wrong type of pressure to place on your people because it is one without incentive for them. At least it is never presented in the correct manner.
When I have to be the fiber I do it in a way that shows how they will benefit and become better for it. It is more about them not the bottom line. I show them how it helps their efficiency and effectiveness. How it can help them think more clearly under stress and pressure.
The key metrics that I set are on time finish and in budget. I am looking for feedback during the process to see if they have all the tools they need and the education to get the job done. All meetings are canceled while the push is on because they are not relevant to the process and with feedback I can relay where the project is at.
There is the smart approach and then the overbearing approach. I have found my way has better retention, moral and team spirit. How is your way working for your team?
Bon Apetite!

John Kitney - date: 2011/03/07 11:48 am

Mozart and Beethoven are great analogies in leadership. These two greast composers are not interdependent but complementary. The balance and the timing between the two approaches is most important. It involves great wisdom to decide when to use these approaches, particularly in a difficult situation. This is the third part to the serenity prayer attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr and now more commonly known as the alcoholics prayer.