A Different Kind of Leader

by Catherine Brown, President

I love it when I read about a real, live business leader who is to be admired. I am sure there are many out there, but it seems that the media portrays two extremes: Leader A is the CEO who writes his own biography (or has his own television show) and seems to pride himself on his own accomplishments; Leader B is in the news because he’s embezzled money from the company and as a result his employees have lost a good bit of their retirement investments. I love to read about the third kind of leader: the Humble Leader, as characterized in Forbes magazine’s article on Micky Jagtiani, a CEO of a retail empire throughout the Middle East, the Landmark Group.

Forbes’ article is full of quirky quotes by the CEO that were reminiscent of the CEOs listed in Jim Collins’ book Good to Great: the “every man” leader- humble, hard-working, and modest. My two favorite quotes about Jagtiani are when he speaks about his wife’s help in the business. He says, “She was very clever, finished at the top of her school… I flunked all my exams.” My second favorite quote, when asked about his early struggles in the business is when he states, “The first thing I said to myself when I started this business was that I must be strongest in the area where I am weakest.” Many leaders are afraid to admit where they are weak. I am thinking about why it’s hard to admit where we are weak and the irony of the strength that it takes to admit weakness. 

 

Comments

[Jerry Neal]

Catherine,
I felt compelled to reply to your posting (blog) as I was reviewing your website looking for more information. I have read " Good to Great" and it is a very easy read and the timeless message of self assesment (strengths vs weakness) is delivered in a very positive and worthy manner. I also just finished "Reposition Yourself" by TD Jakes and it also has some similarities to Jim's book.

Here is my point: There is nothing wrong with refreshing our daily approach and keeping the easily lost goals of "where do we want to go" right in front of us. However in this constant climate of change, adaptation, flexibility, etc. We all too often find ourselves mirred in the daily grind of making a buck and tend to lose sight of our real goals and the best (ethical) manner to get there. Hence; a "best seller" reminds us of the inherent things we already have, if we have chosen to particiapate in the game. Or we fall prey to short cuts and other less desirable ways to win the game. Foundations built on ROCKS will prevail (over a longer term and with more adversity) than a house of cards.

40 years ago, I was told by the "experts" that I would never walk again. I was a child of 7 or 8 and the doctors at the Mayo Clinic (and other notable physicians) told me to accept my life and to learn to accept what tough lessons were being dealt to me. For a short while (5-8 years) I felt like these experts knew more than I did and I accepted a life less than I wanted (even at that early age).

However, I woke up or should I say I was woken up and my life has been anything but ordinary from that point on. Today, I find myself with God given talents that are still being refined but yet I flourish and continue to build my sales at a record setting pace. I also find that not only have I become a master of my profession but now I find myself being called to help others master their own talents in sales as well.

So in closing, I highly recommend a good read now and then but only as a gentle reminder to each of us that quality of life and limititations are self imposed.

BTW, please tell Nancy that I tried to respond to her email about the interview and it kept bouncing back. Please ask her to call me on the 21st (anytime is fine) as stated in her email. Have a great week and I look forward to meeting you and the team in person.

Jerry Neal

[Catherine Brown]

Hi Jerry. I agree with you: "best sellers" make it because they tell us what we already know but forgot in the tyranny of the urgent. Thanks for your comment.