“Excellent companies provide two things simultaneously: tough environments and very supportive environments.”
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-Tom Peters.
-Tom Peters.
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The leadership of Charles H. Lightoller was perhaps never truly extolled whilst he lived; a seaman plagued all his life with the unfortunate legacy of the Titanic as its second officer, he had numerous close calls and his life could be summarised in his role of rescuing 130 soldiers during the Dunkirk Evacuation in World War II, aboard his own vessel, the Sundowner. This little 60-footer, built to hold forty five souls, almost capsized on numerous occasions. Lightoller, abandoned as a child and no stranger to adversity, did courageously what was required all his life in meeting his close calls.[1] Time and again he faced death and he was never crushed by it.
The leadership of Charles H. Lightoller was perhaps never truly extolled whilst he lived; a seaman plagued all his life with the unfortunate legacy of the Titanic as its second officer, he had numerous close calls and his life could be summarised in his role of rescuing 130 soldiers during the Dunkirk Evacuation in World War II, aboard his own vessel, the Sundowner. This little 60-footer, built to hold forty five souls, almost capsized on numerous occasions. Lightoller, abandoned as a child and no stranger to adversity, did courageously what was required all his life in meeting his close calls.[1] Time and again he faced death and he was never crushed by it.
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He had the spirit of high self-efficacy. These days it’s also termed resilience. This is a common denominator in good organisational leaders--leaders strong on ‘transformational attributes.’
He had the spirit of high self-efficacy. These days it’s also termed resilience. This is a common denominator in good organisational leaders--leaders strong on ‘transformational attributes.’
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Some of the transformational ‘resilient’ attributes of great leaders--and certainly represented in Charles H. Lightoller--are as follows. They’re:
Some of the transformational ‘resilient’ attributes of great leaders--and certainly represented in Charles H. Lightoller--are as follows. They’re:
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- Brave, determined and principled;
- Committed and engaged in life;
- Nurturing of their team and individuals;
- Spirited, have drive, energy and passion;
- Able to withstand and overcome personal loss;
- Modest and humble and seek their quieter moments;
- Adaptable: they can learn anything intuitively; and,
- Able to inspire confidence and obedience.
- Brave, determined and principled;
- Committed and engaged in life;
- Nurturing of their team and individuals;
- Spirited, have drive, energy and passion;
- Able to withstand and overcome personal loss;
- Modest and humble and seek their quieter moments;
- Adaptable: they can learn anything intuitively; and,
- Able to inspire confidence and obedience.
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Lightoller’s family motto was Lux Vestra, meaning “Let your light shine.” It seems to me that the Tom Peters quote shows us that growth in self-efficacy or resilience requires the tough environment where pressure is not frowned upon, but there is sufficient support and nurturing to counter-balance high demand bringing people through. Lightoller was no stranger to adversity and all through a demanding life he always seemed to stand firm.
Lightoller’s family motto was Lux Vestra, meaning “Let your light shine.” It seems to me that the Tom Peters quote shows us that growth in self-efficacy or resilience requires the tough environment where pressure is not frowned upon, but there is sufficient support and nurturing to counter-balance high demand bringing people through. Lightoller was no stranger to adversity and all through a demanding life he always seemed to stand firm.
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Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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Acknowledgement to John Walker of Walker Wilson & Associates, Organisational Behaviour consultants.
Acknowledgement to John Walker of Walker Wilson & Associates, Organisational Behaviour consultants.
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[1] Try these sites: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Lightoller and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Dynamo
[1] Try these sites: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Lightoller and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Dynamo
Great post. I will add that to be an adaptable leader you have to go beyond being a great learner. This is very important but not the whole picture. Adaptability in leadership is one of the hardest attributes to display. That is why IBM found that only 14% of organizations feel very prepared to adapt to change. If adaptability is so critical for organizational success then more companies should explore ways to become more adaptable.
ReplyDeleteThank you. The thing I find about leadership (like wisdom, truth, and love) is we could not confine its definition in a lifetime of learning. You make an excellent point and I wonder what character qualities (or organisationally, 'culture' qualities) are required for people and teams to have the humility and resilience to adapt positively at every turn? Your point is so truthfully valid, yet almost no one goes there.
ReplyDeleteI am currently studying the relationship between 'royal' character and leadership. Royalty can mingle with the masses, yet not lose its integrity, yet rises to the occasion every time.