My palms get sweaty when I read, “We measure success by the way we touch the lives of people.”**
Aim at nothing – you hit it. I feel a need to define my aspirations concerning the way I touch the lives of people.
How will I touch the lives of people when:
- Projects stall.
- Performance exceeds expectation.
- Problems emerge unexpectedly.
- Performance reviews are discussed. (I sincerely hope you have stopped wasting time on traditional performance reviews.)
- Opportunities arise.
- Meetings are convened.
- Tough conversations are required.
New responsibility:
Does it make your palms sweaty to assume responsibility for the way you touch the lives of people? I hope so.
Results aren’t human.
Responsibility for delivering results feels easier if you exclude responsibility for touching lives. When numbers are all that matters, people become numbers.
Touching lives:
Can you answer these awkward questions?
- What are your team member’s aspirations?
- How do you want people to feel about themselves?
- How are people finding fulfillment in their responsibilities and roles?
- How do people know their contribution to organizational mission and vision?
- What are you doing to develop people?
- What do you know about your team member’s families?
- What makes your teammates proud?
The above questions feel awkward when leaders neglect people at the expense of results.
New challenge:
I hate to use the word “feelings.” It feels weak. But, touching lives includes feelings.
Leaders who touch lives understand emotional results.
Successful leaders have teams who feel:
- Respected.
- Trusted.
- Optimistic.
- Confident.
- Inspired.
- Challenged.
- Responsible.
- Informed.
- Included.
- Fulfilled.
- Inspired.
- Powerful.
Leaders who touch lives have teams who produce results.
What happens in your thinking if you define success by the way you touch the lives of people?
**This post is inspired by “Everybody Matters,” by Bob Chapman and Raj Sisodia
Bob is Chairman and CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, a combination of nearly 70 acquired companies valued at approximately $2 billion with 9,000 employees.
Book website: www.everybodymattersbook.com
Twitter: @barrywehmiller