Famous Business LeadersNot who you think..
If you have spent any time on this site you will know instantly that this is not about the “traditional” or usual. And that is not to say that there are not great business leaders operating in the traditional world. Given that this site is about Positive Deviant’s, this article is about famous business leaders, or even the not so famous business leaders who are working quietly away at changing the world using a Positive Deviant mind set, and without the need at all to be close to any spotlight. These are the people who might become famous, but only by accident. They do not seek fame in its own right. They are up to a game change. This is also going to be an organic article, where I add to the list of famous business leaders as I personally get to know them. Firstly, my definition of what it would take to qualify to be a famous business leader and to make this list. Service to the success of all of humanity and our world is a first priority. The business leader has transcended the need to have their ego/status/image/own agenda/personal success be front and foremost. (Servant Leadership) The business they lead is designed to be, from start to end, adding value to all of humanity and life. Sustainability, cradle to cradle, conscious awareness of the field effects, an integral perspective, these elements, and others, are intrinsic. The products and services produced are of value. They enrich life. All of life. For example, they are not financial instruments that produce money from money without adding any real value. The leader leads by example. They are up for scrutiny, they demand of themselves the highest integrity, are committed to their own development, both internally and externally, they are not afraid of surrounding themselves with people who demand their highest ethics, integrity, and potential. They live lives that are rich and multidimensional, not simply confined to work. The famous business leader does not use manipulation, seduction and other common marketing tools to further their success. They are interested in creating products and services of excellence, providing superior customer experiences, and allowing the product, service and experience to speak. (The Seth Godin school of marketing). They invite their customers to collaborate, both in feedback, design, better products, etc. They want a relationship with the customer that is deeply respectful. They are willing to admit when they get it wrong, and refuse to play the blame game. They know what they are good at, they do this well, and edify and support the people around them who are better at other things than they are, and they do this with total generosity. They are able to think and act systemically. Equally, when times require, they can get in and get their hands dirty. As Gandhi says in the movie ‘Gandhi’, “To rake a clean the latrine.” They deeply appreciate and respect that there are no small tasks, that each person in the company, and in their supply chain externally, has value and makes a contribution, and it is the synergistic result of these people that creates the end value. They speak with clear and clean communication. People know where they stand. They ask a lot from people, but only because they know that the person they are asking has it within them to give. Here are a few things that they do not do. They do not have money and profit as their only goal. They see money and profit as the side effect of making exceptional products and offering incredible service that brings value to the lives of people without costing other people their own right livelihood. They do not see the world from scarcity. Win/loose. Not enough to go around. They ‘get’ that if they work from win win win, their business will thrive. They are not in it for them. They are in it for others first, themselves second, or even third. They have little or no interest in fame/status. They simply want to get on with things. Famous business leaders that make this list are not a dime a dozen. And while I have created standards for them that are really very high, this is not about perfection. The famous business leader holds the space for themselves to be all of the above, and yet ‘gets’ that they are human and perfection is not the goal. They may also have started their business leadership from a very different perspective than above, and over time, chosen to live and work from this frame. In writing this article, I chose as my own standard that I needed to have a personal experience of the famous business leader in order for them to make this list. Hence the requirement that the list is not set in stone and will evolve over time. While I do not yet know Ray Anderson of Interface Carpet company, I suspect that he may well make this list. As would Seth Godin. I would very much like to hear from you of you think their are people to consider for this list. They are usually not “famous” in the way we know fame today. They are often famous only to their staff, communities, and customers. They can be leaders of small or large businesses, for profit, not for profit. Their leadership is defined because they have a following, and their tribe are inspired to be better because of them. They may be managers or CEO’s. They may come from pure business or the arts, or science. Drum roll...who makes the list?
Never heard of them...?? It is time we redefined fame away from the vacuous fame of celebrity to fame that has real substance. These people are famous to me. And I know they are famous to all the people they work with. They live and breath the values I speak of. My hope is that in the next few years I can add many people to this list. (And yes, I do take into account that as this is my list, it is very subjective. At some stage we may open this up and create a Positive Deviant award in its own right, with a panel of judges.) All of my clients are moving towards making this list. These people are incredible leaders of people and are moving towards being of service in a business that really adds value comprehensively. Who is on your list? Return from Famous Business Leaders to Leadership Development
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