Results, Relationships, and the Triple Bottom Line
In good times and in bad, people want leadership and reassurance. They want to know the point of it all; they want to be acknowledged and appreciated, challenged and inspired. Some are inclined to focus on results, others on relationships — both are required to succeed. That means you must collaborate with others who have a disposition that differs from your own, and you must cultivate skills that may be challenging to you. Welcome to functional adulthood.
While I firmly believe everyone can be a good leader, not everyone has the will. Some are not ready for the responsibility, scarred, perhaps by bad experiences. Arrogant leaders enjoy the power and perks of the position, but they don’t care too much about the people. These are lousy leaders, driven primarily by unchecked ego and greed, and when good people choose not to lead, lousy leaders fill the void. I hope you agree that we don’t need more of that in 2022.
The preference is always for leaders with stamina, empathy, intelligence, and dignity. Humanity requires organizations to perform in ways that positively impact people, the planet, and their profits. Social, environmental and financial performance is this century’s triple bottom line and is now a requirement for authentic and sustainable success, not a “nice to have.”
Everyone acknowledges that the last couple of years have been difficult by many measures — and you persevered. You should not expect that 2022 or any subsequent years will get easier. We have many considerable challenges ahead of us. The reduction of pain and the increase of power is a great measurement of progress. To make progress that amounts to anything meaningful in the coming months and years will require better leaders with a level of confidence grounded in humility and not arrogance mired in hubris. I’d like to see you take the lead in confronting a few of those challenges without becoming a jerk.
Boston-bred and California-chilled Karl Bimshas is a leadership consultant, author, and podcast host who collaborates with underestimated professionals who want to become confident, competent leaders in their field without becoming a jerk. Improve the working relationships with your colleagues and direct reports to create high-performing teams with a series of leadership workbooks available at LeadershipWorkbooks.com
