I am familiar with the above quote from “The Godfather,” as are many people. It has resonance and relevance to Leadership in business as well as our personal lives. I had become accustomed to meeting friends and former colleagues at Funerals. This was not respectful to the memories of those people I had laughed and cried with over the years. I determined to do something about that.
Last weekend I spent quality time with the Irish branch of the family. Over 100 of us were in Cork, enjoying the craic. So many stories and significant memories of people that help to define me as a person. Sadly, many are no longer with us in body but imbue all of us with their unquenchable spirit, example, and Values.
Business, as it should, took a back seat to what’s truly important: our time and whom we choose to spend it with. No laptop or business traffic on my smartphone interrupted my mood.
Business is only truly a success if it creates a lifestyle we always promised ourselves.
Leadership
It was my responsibility as a Senior Leader, to create the environment and culture for those I had responsibility for, as well as those we came into contact with. Leadership is knowing your team as PEOPLE. That is, what makes them tick, who they are, and where they want to be. Similarly, to paraphrase Michael CORLEONE, I kept my ‘enemies ‘( defined as those whose values and behaviours conflicted with mine to the detriment of all who had the misfortune to meet them) closer. I needed to understand their toxic ways so that if they would not change, they were disciplined, sidelined, ameliorated or, in extreme cases, offboarded.
Management is doing things Right.
Leadership is doing the Right Things.
The most precious aspect of Leadership is to develop people to their maximum and create a culture of mutual respect. I was known to be a person who loved a cup of tea when the chips were down!
This video really resonates with me, I hope you like it!
In short, the most precious gift any of us have is our time.
Spend it wisely.