Don’t Forget to be Human!

harvard business review

“The problem is about 70% of leaders rate themselves as inspiring and motivating – much in the same way as we all rate ourselves as great drivers. But this stands in stark contrast to how employees perceive their leaders. A survey published by Forbes found that 65% of employees would forego a pay raise if it meant seeing their leader fired, and a 2016 Gallup engagement survey found that 82% of employees see their leaders as fundamentally uninspiring. In our opinion, these two things are directly related.

There is a vast upside to human leadership. As data from McKinsey & Company shows, when employees are intrinsically motivated, they are 32% more committed and 46% more satisfied with their job and perform 16% better.

As human beings, we are all driven by basic needs for meaning, happiness, human connectedness, and a desire to contribute positively to others. And leaders that truly understands these needs, and lead in a way that enables these intrinsic motivations, have the keys to enable strong loyalty, engagement and performance. As leaders, we must be humans before managers.”

Excerpt from:  https://hbr.org/2018/01/why-do-so-many-managers-forget-theyre-human-beings

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These 2 Words are His Best Career Advice for Young People by Melanie Curtin

‘Explore GS’ is a speaker series for interns at Goldman Sachs. A few years ago, CEO and Chairman of the firm, Lloyd Blankfein, participated in it, giving sage advice on how to forge a career path that will lead to success.

Blankfein is in a good position to comment. He became a billionaire in 2015 and has led Goldman Sachs for over a decade. “I’ll give you advice that’s impossible to follow,” he prefaced before dropping his epic knowledge, then followed up by saying his younger self would probably never have been able to follow it.

So what was this gem, these words to live by?

Read the rest by clicking here: https://www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/in-2-words-ceo-of-goldman-sachs-shares-his-most-profou-career-advice.html

A Heart for People

I think one quality that has always attracted me to specific leaders is this: a heart for people.

My father is almost 89. He’s had a very rough last three weeks. He has been in the hospital and in a rehab facility. We were able to just bring him back to his apartment yesterday. Several times during these three weeks I have witnessed something.

He always takes time to talk with people. He’s always willing to help. He speaks words of encouragement. He asks about others. He smiles at people.

(Dad helping folks at his nursing home find someone – the day he got back to his apartment.)

Granted, physically he has been in bad shape for three weeks. But even during those times, he has found ways to try to brighten somebody’s day or to do something for someone.

(My Dad helping out his friend on a Sunday service at the rehab center)

Leaders demonstrate the ability to care for others. But it’s not something that they have to manufacture. It comes from their heart to another person’s heart. That is my dad. He has been such a great example to me.

(With some of his grandkids and 1 of his great grandkids.)