WORDS TO LEAD BY - Open Minded

We continue to share lessons from Wally Adamchik's book titled Construction Leadership from A to Z.

His book explores "26 Words to Lead By."

This session's word is OPEN MINDED

OPEN MINDED

Open Minded - having or showing a mind receptive to new ideas or arguments; unprejudiced; unbigoted; impartial

"There exist limitless opportunities in every industry. Where there is an open mind, there will always be a frontier." - Charles F. Kettering

Leaders need information to make decisions. If you don't have an open mind, you can't get all the information you need to make decisions. Sometimes leaders think they already have all the answers. Years of experience and expertise will do that to you.

Noted expert on human behavior, Abraham Maslow, observed, "The novice can often see things the expert overlooks."

Other reasons to be open minded are to foster creativity in your people and to demonstrate respect. If you don't give respect, you certainly won't get it. Employees want to be heard; they want to know that their opinions matter. Being open minded is about being receptive to new ideas and new information.

If leadership is about change for better results, then being receptive can only help. The pace of change is rapid, and it is impossible for any one person to have a grip on all that is going on.

You can cultivate an open mind.

"Above all, remember that the most important thing you can take anywhere is not a Gucci bag or French-cut jeans; it's an open mind." - Gail Rubin Bereny

Open Minded Jumpstart

• Read something different.
• Do something different.
• Drive home using a different route.
• Look for points of agreement - not disagreement. Listen more

...Sure, I have an open mind...as long as you do it my way!

Have you heard that before? Surely not today, and, most certainly, not at work...Ha!

Many old industries, such as construction, have a very difficult time trying something new. We have always done it this way, and it works. Well, I am here to tell you that today is not like yesterday and never will be again. We must be willing to try new ways - utilize today's techniques and technology. Ask others doing a different job. Ask others on a different crew. Ask others in a different industry.

Just ask!

Let's choose to have an open mind today and every day!

Donald G. Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

"Do the Right Thing"

The following is an excerpt from a book by my favorite author, John C. Maxwell. It is a very short yet powerful lesson in ethics and integrity.

Do the Right Thing

Doing the right thing doesn't come naturally to any of us. As America's first president, George Washington, said, "Few men have virtue enough to withstand the highest bidder." Yet that is what we must do to develop the kind of character that will sustain us.

It's not easy to do the right thing when the wrong thing is expedient. Molière commented, "Men are alike in their promises. It is only in their deeds that they differ. The difference in their deeds is simple: People of character do what is right regardless of the situation."

One way that I've tried to control my natural bent to do wrong is to ask myself some questions (adapted from questions written by business ethicist Dr. Laura Nash):

1. Am I hiding something?
2. Am I hurting anyone?
3. How does it look from the other person's point of view?
4. Have I discussed this face-to-face?
5. What would I tell my child to do?

If you do the right thing - and keep doing it - even if it doesn't help you move ahead with your talent in the short term, it will protect you and serve you well in the long term. Character builds - and it builds you.

Or as Dr. Dale Bronner, a board member of my nonprofit organization EQUIP, puts it, "Honesty is not something you do; honesty is who you are."

- Talent is Never Enough

DETERMINE TO DO THE RIGHT THING, EVEN WHEN IT HURTS.

Donald G. Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

WORDS TO LEAD BY - Noble

We are sharing lessons this year from Wally Adamchik’s book titled Construction Leadership from A to Z.

His book explores “26 Words to Lead By.”

This session’s word is NOBLE.

NOBLE

Noble – of an exalted moral or mental character or excellence; admirable in dignity of conception, manner of expression, execution

“A noble person attracts noble people, and knows how to hold on to them.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

You would not typically think of nobility as a characteristic of leadership. I say this because I firmly believe that leadership is not a title or birthright; it is action and relationship. But the definition of noble embodies exalted character and admirable expression and execution. Sounds like what we need in a good leader.

Perhaps it is as simple as the distinction between class and crass. I don’t think anybody would dispute that legendary UCLA basketball coach was a class act. He lived by the motto, “You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” He made everyone around him a better person and instilled in them a desire to excel.

The noble leader does not disparage others and does not take the cheap shot.

“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self.” - Elijah Wood

Noble Jumpstart:

• Dress the part and speak the part.
• Learn to shake hands and make meaningful eye contact.
• What is your higher purpose?

Noble is not about sporting a crown, or riding a horse with an entourage of knights, or even wearing fancy clothes. It is about helping someone else simply because it is the right thing to do. It may be as simple as holding the door open for someone with their hands full of boxes, or leaving the parking space near the door open for someone who needs it more than you, or giving clear directions when asked by someone from out of state (even a Yankee). Let’s choose to act in a noble manner today and every day!

Donald G. Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc