Growing Your Seeds... Part III

Almost always, having a case study makes discussions and
explanations clearer; and for the audience, it's just a matter of
having an open mind to go with receptive ears; hence, let's start
this blog from where we left off.

"How come when I want a pair of hands, I get a human being
as well?" - Henry Ford

As a human being, bear in mind that you are dealing with fellow
human beings as well. Respect is the key to good relationships.

As a Leader, you would go a long way if you know how to value
people.

We may belong to different races, speak different languages,
practice different traditions but realize that God created us
equally although under different circumstances.

This means, with brains and the right attitude, we can make it...
it's just a question of cooperation. See, we know that we are all
in this together, so, why not just help each other? Worry not
there is still a pie for everybody so don't be deaf. If life is
temporary then learn to really listen.

You might say, "but we are into business, why include talks of
life?" Well, business is part of life. And for one to say such puts
a dent to his being, as does this mean that one could just plow
anyone with money? Is he a conscientious Leader then?
Worth following? You might succeed to a certain point but
sooner or later your principles would hurt you.

"Management and union maybe likened to that serpent of the
fables who on one body had two heads that, fighting each other
with poisonous fangs, killed themselves." - Peter Drucker

What happened to Dan Gilbert and LeBron James was such a
pity. They had their points but they did not "talk" before coming
out in the open. Look what happened? Their break up hurt them
both whether they realize it or not. Sure the Cavs may find
another "LeBron" in the future and James could win a
championship with Miami -- but at what expense?

Currently, they have hurt their public image. Later on, LeBron
"could" either hurt his legacy or his new found relationships
after some time specially with Dwyane Wade who not only is
the Heat's franchise player but plays exactly like James.
Some inside competition brewing, huh? And it could be unhealthy.

Oh yes, Magic had Worthy and Kareem while Jordan had Pippen
and Rodman -- but come to think of it, it's really a different case.
James and Chris Bosh are no rookies nor veterans in their 30's
but in their prime when they were acquired.

And Dan Gilbert?
His emotions could give worry to his organization and every
entity he deals with.

Yet, let's just wait and see... as only time can tell.

In the end, it would boil down to accepting roles and team
chemistry as how it is for a regular business organization that
laymen understands it to be.

This is the challenge for its Leaders -- growing your seeds.

Remember…
"A well-run business must have high and consistent standards of
ethics." - Richard Branson

Growing Your Seeds... Part II

There is this line in a song that goes... "Why do we always hurt
the ones we love?"; and certainly, this is true. People could
never avoid hurting the ones they love no matter how hard they
try. This is because it is with them that we regularly interact with,
and so misunderstandings are inevitable.

Think about this then. If these things happen with family, how
much more with others whom attachments are not as deep?
In this case, at work.

For this article, let us talk a bit about relationships --
work relationships.

"Top management must know how good or bad employees'
working conditions are. They must eat in the employees'
restaurants... visit the... lavatories. If they are not good enough
for those in charge, they are not good enough for anyone."
~ Marcus Sieff

You must have heard of putting oneself in the shoes of another;
and this is to help one understand others. This is what empathy
is all about. Even the Bible speaks of doing to others what you
want them do to you. This is the foundation of good relationships.
Yet as we know, misunderstandings still happen.

Again, why?

Because of constant interaction? Well, we have mentioned that
earlier that even family with shared goals undergo it. Do we then
stop interacting? Of course not! That would be ridiculous!
No life, no business, no nothing!

"When there's a deep-seated conflict between management
and labor, it's because of autocratic management practices."
~ Ken Iverson

In the sports industry, for those of you who have followed the
NBA's summer free agency rush... remember the issue between
the Cavaliers' owner Dan Gilbert and LeBron James?

A surprised Dan Gilbert had his emotions run high after LeBron
ditched the Cavs. It was but natural for the people of Cleveland
to feel dismayed as well as LeBron is the team's star; in
business terms, he's the star salesman. However, a private,
no holds barred meeting between parties could have been held
before the decision was made to settle what needs to be settled.

Growing your seeds takes a lot of effort but rewards are great
when you understand how to do it... and do it. More next issue.

Remember…
"An organization can develop a strong and vibrant voice of
conscience only by finding ways to harmonize its multiple
voices of conscience." - Frederick Bruce Bird