Imagine that you have two promising candidates for promotion to vice president of product engineering. Both are bright and hardworking, with an impressive track record of results. They both get things done on time and on budget. But you notice a difference: Candidate A’s team members report they are satisfied with their jobs. Their scores on employee surveys are only slightly above average. A typical comment: “He technically gets the job done, but I don’t know if he really cares about me.” Candidate B’s team members, by contrast, are overwhelming in their enthusiasm for their jobs and their boss. “She is a true leader in every sense of the word,” says one. “Her impact on me personally has been tremendous.”
via Leaders who inspire – Bain Brief – Bain & Company – Publications.
Candidate B ! Absolutely. I wouldn’t think twice. Fatal mistake of many companies (and their people in charge) is that they focus on the process (things to do + you do what I tell you to do), but companies are constituted by People. Different people. It’s their inner conviction, their will that makes the difference. Regardless of the skills. The power of roman and greek phalanx came from a very strong faith and attachment with their Generals, who were used to fight at their side. They inspired their soldiers. They didn’t sit comfortably thousands of miles from the battlefield…. like today… Thank you.