In my first book (Love Is the Killer App) I answered the question: What is the next big trend/wave?
People. They are, have always been and will always be the #1 wave you need to catch to be successful in life or business. Your customers do business with your people as much (if not more) than they do with your products or processes. Why do you spend such a small amount of time on the people part, yet play so deeply in product and process?
For those in the information technology or media business, if you want to become what author John McKeen calls 'an information master', you'll need to invest in people, culture and leadership - not just technology and services. From McKean's book Information Masters, look at this slide:
For others, the point is still true. Develop people, spend time on the human side of business, and watch your bottom line grow exponentially. Here are a few ways to think about giving power to the people:
1. Invest in people skills: Start with your self. If you don't have good connection and communication skills, you can't create or maintain vital relationships inside or outside of your company. Make this a priority for your employees. Invest 10-15% of their annual salary into personal development.
2. Put people at the center of your business. For customers, measure the emotional experience, and seek to improve it constantly. For employees and partners, take responsibility for their growth year over year.
3. Leverage the power of one person. This is where people are still more important than technology. One person can change the world if he/she feels empowered by leaders, and has the tools to ignite a movement that leads to action. When you get wind of an individual catalyst for good, give them encouragement and direct them to form a group of kindred spirits. Then get out of the way and let your people take over. If you see a leader emerge, setting the right example, fall in and become part of the wave that changes the world.
Example: CIBC Bank Employees (elevation)
Example: Timberland (falling in)
On the lecture circuit, this is my core message and talking points. If any of these resonate with you or your company's direction...bring me in to speak at your next conference (or refer me).
Great post and an excellent reminder about the importance of soft skills. At the end of the day it's always about people.
Posted by: Furniture Quest | March 13, 2010 at 09:10 PM