I repeat: ‘will all the real leaders please stand up?” I had real fun coining this adage. For all those young enough to remember ‘the real slim shady’, you’ll know where I’m coming from…
One of my favourite albums is titled ‘the power of one’ and the power of one in relation to leading change and delivering transformation has never been more in need. You see, now I’m all grown up, I’m aspiring to be like a ‘proper’ Economist reader; neither pessimist, nor optimist, but one for whom, the glass is always full. My personal glass is always full, because there is so much to do! Even if it’s a needle in a haystack, I’m keen to discover how to get it out in new ways. I’m always thinking about my next big idea, next innovation and how I can leave my mark however big or small, in this world.
We live in a time when both blue and white-collar doomsayers have the loudest voices. Every day, there are countless dichotomies of everything that is wrong wherever we are. Yet, each of those voices and each one of us has the power to change things right where we are. This starts with an attitude that recognises that we are all part of a value chain. A value chain where each link must ‘bear fruit’ that manifests itself into delivering results and driving performance wherever we are. As professionals and leaders, regardless of rank and file, we all have a part to play, and not one where the job of performing is left to those deemed to be senior enough or those who are supposedly earning enough to warrant performance.
Even as the addition of years thin out my eyebrows, I continue to raise them at those who just turn up to work for their cheque without ever justifying their inclusion and those whose passiveness is just depressing.
Leaders can’t be omnipresent, since they’re not God. So then, it falls to everyone that can, to ask themselves what they can do to improve things right where they are. Are you being professional? ‘Turning up’? Exceeding expectations? Understanding your business and your role in it?
This also requires dynamic and visionary leadership; are you inspiring your people through example? Encouraging ‘out of the box’ thinking? Taking the big and sometimes difficult decisions to drive performance or is the same old, same old?
In my own ‘space’ that is corporate communication; I know that our profession delivers real value when it’s done right. I understand that we have a key role to play in driving brand awareness and building reputations that have an impact on both revenue and market share and I am passionate about proving this through everything that I touch. Furthermore, I spend every day thinking about how I can inspire those around me to keep delighting, innovating and breaking new ground.
There is so much that we can all achieve through the power of one, if we all put our hands to the pump. I’ve already started my journey…let’s travel together.
Carmen Bruce-Annan