Organic, gluten-free leadership
"Trust happens when leaders are transparent." Jack Welch
Have you been to the grocery store lately? These places are getting so big they need a shuttle bus. I gain in age by the time I'm through walking the cereal aisle. Grocery stores have grown because of the expansion of brands and versions of products (like spaghetti sauce) but also because of the organic and gluten-free desires of the consumer. Try visiting a Whole Foods. I thought I was in a library. Everyone was busy studying the back of boxes in search of the truth. I gave the cashier my library card when I checked out and asked when I should return the lavender chips.
I haven't given gluten-free foods the love they deserve - probably because it's all the fun stuff like cakes, cookies, and ice cream, and I love my bread. So much for my level of discipline. Organic has a nicer ring to it. Who wouldn't want their food free of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and other artificial agents? Organic means we are getting something authentic, unspoiled, produced by sun and soil. As a leader, you'll find me in the organic section of the store.
I'm talking about being yourself. About being authentic, transparent, vulnerable and real as a leader. The fertilizers, pesticides and artificial ingredients of leadership are the facade which hides the true nature of ourselves - pretending as if we are all-knowing and without fear, putting on an act to cover up our weaknesses. I want people to read the label, the back of the box of Rob Campbell's leadership. They are smart consumers and will know if I am spoiled by something not real.
My 'Nutrition Facts' and 'Ingredients' are outlined in the biography or bio sketch I produced later in my leadership journey, one I shared with all of my people and which I share in Chapter 5 of my book, It's Personal, Not Personnel. Go here. I practiced vulnerability as a leader, asking for help when I knew I needed it, confessing the things I did not know, opening up to learning from those younger and less experienced than I. I would laugh at myself when I did something silly and I would apologize when I was wrong. I wasn't, and am not perfect but that is the point. My people were smart and could see right through me.
Be strong and confident as a leader. Work to overcome your weaknesses, know yourself deeply, and be the best that you can be, but let people experience the real you. They won't need to flip you over and read through your ingredients in search of the truth. They will see it every day in your leadership. And a little gluten is ok.
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Make it Personal!
Rob
Rob Campbell