Selling Out

My recent posts have had a leaning toward behavior traits that center around issues like the lack of boldness, the need for risk taking and the desire of some people to conform to popular opinion or pop culture. These are traits I've observed in individuals who hold positions of authority, leadership and, indeed, the general population. These behavior traits manifest themselves in business and personal life alike.


Although I always want to be as positive as possible in my posts, I may, on occasion, come off as negative rather than reaching my intended purpose of causing people to think and reflect about their own behavior and that of the organizations they interact with. Today's thoughts may sound harsh, but the fact is a reality of behavior about another group of people. People I call "sellouts."

 Sellouts are those folks who have made a conscious determination to exchange personal conviction for personal convenience or profit. They are not necessarily crooks (although they could be) but rather those who are "gutless" in their standing morally, ethically, or even strategically for self survival, personal gain, or secure standing.

Two quick examples of what I'm talking about. Today, I passed such a person in the Chicago airport. A U.S. Congressman who is a good guy, but unwilling to shake things up in D.C. because of the consequences which may result in loss of status in Washington, or not being re-elected in his home district.
The 2nd is of an acquaintance who once claimed to be strong in his faith, but most recently has declared himself as "spiritual" rather than being specific in what he once considered absolute truth. His new proclamation is difficult to understand because the desire to be all things to all people leaves him weak and without creditability on morale and ethical issues. In both cases, they have become "sellouts."

 Before anyone thinks I'm just casting stones, please understand that the thought of being a "sellout" is first considered and investigated by me, about me.

 For good or bad, I became a consultant precisely because of two events that intersected in my professional life.

 1. Because of many wonderful things that were happening in education and cultural change in the company I was working for, I was asked by other firms to help them in the same process of change management. However, I probably would have never left this fine firm to start my own business, had it not been for the 2nd event.

 2. During my time with this company I was fortunate to work with a wonderful CEO and President/COO. The support, values and vision were perfectly in line with the President of the company. However, this President left our company to work for another firm. The new President was a finance guy and saw education and development as an expense that could be eliminated and would  therefore bolster the bottom line. There are still many executives like this today, but I digress.

 The new President was a nice guy, but was determined to dismantle some of the things we had begun to do while wrapping himself in a protection blanket and justification of budget concerns. He was a very short sighted guy and not a long term process thinker, and certainly not a visionary. The arrival of my travel expenses to his desk, was like fingernails on a chalk board. He just could not bear it! He wrote me a memo and insisted that I immediately stop any activity that would cost money.

 At this point, I had two options. Submit to the mandate and stay with the company and draw a pay check, along with the stock options that my position afforded, or leave the organization and try and find something that was in line with my passion, talent and belief. Although staying would have positioned me much better financially, I chose the latter. I was unwilling to "sell out" and sell my soul for a paycheck.

 It was a tough decision. I'm pretty sure I would have a lot more money in my bank account today had I stayed with this great company, and probably could have found something within the firm to do, but at the time it seemed I had only one option and that was to leave.

As it turned out, God has opened doors in the past 25 years for me that I would have never even seen, let alone walk through, if I had sold out for temporary survival. The funny thing is the new President commented to a friend of mine, after I had left the organization, that "Lewis was really a smart guy. But I just couldn't rein him in."

 Many companies are betting that most of their employees will "sell out" and conform because they need a job.

 I could give a long list of examples of how people sell out professionally and personally. You could too and I challenge you to come up with your own list.

However, I want you to know that "selling out" is something I consider, in my own life, almost daily.

 Will I..
 > Fudge my expense account I send to my clients?

 > Will I lie on my taxes?

 > Will I take unfair advantage for perks that on the surface seem harmless, but are really dishonest?

 > Will I be faithful to my God and live according to the principles I told Him I would? Not because I'm trying to earn His favor, but because of my love for Him?

 > Will I be willing to do what is right for my clients, even though there is nothing it it for me, or even if I should lose money in the process?

 > Will I continue to tell it like it is and give my opinion, to my kids, grandkids, friends and clients, knowing it may be unpopular?

 > Will I stand on principle instead of personal gain?

 Much of this self reflection will not happen for a lot of people. Why? Because they have never seriously thought about what they stand for and what they are willing to sacrifice for. That is why so many people "sleep walk" through life.

 A life lived, but not a life of purpose. It's a sad commentary the number of people who "sell out" for survival and monetary gain. People who are willing to sell their soul for job security, endure insults and disrespect, and compromise for popularity.

The Conformity of Nonconformist

                                 
non·con·form·ist :
 a person who does not behave the way most people behave : someone who does not conform.

 Back in my youth they were called "hippies." I went to school at the University of Arkansas and served in the Army. I remember these people as folks who sat in trees on campus or picketed and protested the Vietnam war. Their appearance was long hair, kind of dirty looking, unkept, sandals and beards and smoked dope (a fitting word for a dopey behavior.) The problem was, they all looked alike. They conformed to the way all the other nonconformist looked and behaved. From that nonconformist look, our society began to blend in with a new fashion of long hair, and a cleaner but different style of dress.


Today these same type of people call themselves the 99% er's. Many of the youth today in the U.S. want to look like they are nonconformist, but in reality they are just trying to fit in with everyone else, pressured by pop culture. The nonconformist look today is multiple tattoo's (which was once reserved for prison convicts) and body piercing is considered the "thing" to do for many young people.

 However, this "body art" phenomenon is not shared every where in the world, nor indeed in many professional business organizations. During my recent work in Eastern Europe, the notable absence of "body art" among the young was described to me as a strong family pressure of values.Most business still want to project a professional image.


 During this Easter season, I have thought of Jesus and the fact that many called Him a non-conformist because he was unwilling to conform to the "church" teaching, but rather He held on to the will and purpose of God, the Father. The Apostle Paul encouraged persecuted believers of his time "to be no longer conformed, to the pattern of this world, but rather, be transformed by the renewing of your mind."


 Now lets jump to business conformity or non conformist.... In my last blog post I discussed being a risk taker, someone who is willing to challenge the status quo for the over all good of your customers, your boss and the organization as a whole. Here are some ways people conform to nonconformist...


 > I have several clients who, over the years, have developed a pattern of behavior. Some positive, some negative. One might purposely teach character and acceptable behavior principles while others develop a culture of unkindness and disrespect toward one another.


 > Labor unions for the most part have lost their way. In the 50's they were a powerful force of the nonconformist who no longer would accept the abuse and thuggery of management bosses. Today, unions are strictly a "business" who pretend to be protectors of the little guy but, quite frankly, they are more a political arm of the Democratic party and are supporters of the "entitlement" mentality which, in my opinion, will destroy our free market/capitalist society.


 >"Go along to get along" people in business who have conformed to the way things are done, "because we've always done it that way." In this case we need nonconformists who will shake things up a bit as long as they don't become anarchist.


                    For leaders who read this site, the question is:
  1. Do you encourage honest debate and passionate dialogue among your people? Or do you view those who have an opinion as trouble making nonconformist?
 2. Have YOU become a conformist in your leadership style?
 3.What kind of culture have you created, and what principles of behavior has become common place in your business?


 In some of my lectures, I make a statement that goes something like this..
 "A president is a president, is a president. Their a dime a dozen and I can buy another one any day of the week. What do you do that adds value to your position? Do you just do the job like everyone else, or do you give more than what you are paid to do?" (By the way, you can insert your job title in this question as well if your not a president.) It's a question every employee should ask of themselves honestly.


 If we are to grow as a business, one of the elements needed will be to insure that we properly evaluate whether we are conformist or do we constantly look for ways to be positive nonconformist. Honest reflection and action may be required concerning the above. It is a process for continuous improvement.

 May you all have a blessed Resurrection Sunday!

Being A Risk Taker

                         

Peter Drucker said.."People who don't take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year. People who do take risk, make about two big mistakes a year."

In my professional life I have unfortunately witnessed many so called "leaders" who are unwilling to  take risk. Most people are much more comfortable with living the status quo. It's not always bad to be a non-risk taker and there is something to be said for those who are consistent, predictable and loyal employees and steady contributing members of society as a whole. Lord knows we need these people and quite frankly they make up more than 80% of our population. Organizations must have people who are dependable and willing to carry out the task. However, we don't need them in positions of leadership. 

Most people I know who have been granted the title of "leader" were people who were at one time, good at something i.e., accounting, maintenance, production worker, sales person, etc. Because of their performance excellence they were promoted by someone who needed a "leader" in the maintenance department, production line, sales department.  As wonderful as that might sound, many organizations have ruined individuals by taking them out of there previous job which they were so talented and placed them in situations that requires completely different skill sets, therefore setting them up for failure. As result they have frustrated the newly appointed promotee, have given him/her no honorable escape from the wrong decision and caused disappointment of the groups they were trying to improve. 

Among the many skills needed for an effective leaders, are that of "risk taker." 

The future is charging at us and our organizations at a rate of 60 seconds per minute. With the onslaught of technology and globalization, doing what we have always have done will put us behind quicker than we could ever imagine. Just yesterday, I heard of another large company in the U.S. moving 600 jobs to Honduras, to escape the pressure of unions, higher taxes (soak the rich mentality) and a complacent work force environment.

What every country, company, business, department desperately needs today is those who are willing to be risk takers, to avoid becoming another sad statistic.

Tragically, we have to many who prefer to "go along to get along" than to shake things up a bit for improvement. Risk has the potential for failure, but also the opportunity for high rewards. 

So what does a risk taker do? Glad you asked...

1. Be Bold!  This does not mean arrogant, but confident in expressing ideas and approaches. In a recent survey, Leaders were ask "What keeps leaders in your organization from being more bold?" 52% of the leaders cited "people don't like disruption and change" as the reason.

2. Be willing to do something different in their own lives that will stretch themselves out of their comfort zone.

3. Speak up. When you see injustice, wrong doing, processes that don't make sense, tell someone. Give your opinion for the solution, not just a complaint. We have enough critics in this world, we need those who will describe a better way.

4. Develop a formula or system for risk taking opportunities. Example:  Many years ago Gore-tex developed a culture that actively engaged and embraced almost every person of the company in decision making and risk by requiring that two questions be honestly answered with a YES before anyone took action on their ideas.

1. Is what you are wanting to do, good for Gore-tex?

2. If you're wrong, can we survive it? 

There is a lot of communication and nuances surrounding these two questions, and I'll be glad to share with you if you want to write me. But, IF you can answer yes, then you have freedom to do just about anything you want to do in the company. 

Warning!  Being a risk taker could bring some added grief along with challenges to your life. I know because as a bold risk taker who is constantly trying to move organizations and people in new directions, I have experienced "push back", criticism and resistance by many who are stuck in the status quo, or from organizational heads who are threatened by something they did not think of or initiate. Pride is a destructive thing.

So, here's the deal. If you have the title of leader (CEO, President, Supervisor, Department Head, Owner or whatever) consider some small, risk taking, initiative within your area of responsibility today. If possible, create a culture of engagement with your employees' to foster risk taking. Don't wait for the R&D department, or an innovation group to come up with ideas that will secure your future in a sometimes brutal but always exciting world. 

Take up the challenge. Take a risk!  Be a real leader!