My father spent many years as a high school physical education teacher. Every school year he started the class out with the same rope climbing exercise. Each student had to attempt to climb a thick rope secured to the gym ceiling. A lot of you remember this – the bane of many American gym students. The kids had to try to climb to the very top, which was not an easy task. Many of them didn’t make it.
But before he let the kids try my father always climbed the rope himself, all the way to the ceiling. It was his way of inspiring them to attempt the difficult task and gaining their respect by showing them that he could and would do it too. I’m told he continued this tradition into his 60s.
Many of you are in leadership positions and can relate to his strategy. It’s like the old military saying, “If you want to be a good leader, go to the sound of the guns.” The best managers I know lead from the warehouse docks, assembly lines and distribution plants. In other words, they show up and get involved with their employees.
Good sales managers go on sales calls and help make the cold calls to generate new business. There is no task beneath them in the interest of growing the company’s sales. In this way they show their employees they will never ask them to do something that the managers themselves would not do. These managers also earn the respect of their employees by being there for them.
You get the best results not by talking but by doing. An old coaching mentor of mine used to say, “You can wish in one hand and spit in the other – but see which one fills up faster.” If you’re looking to lead, first “climb the rope” and lead by example. There’s no better way to inspire loyalty and show your people that you care.
Have a great weekend,
Ro