WORTH

'We need to internalize this idea of excellence.  Not many folks spend a lot of time trying to be excellent.' 

- Barack Obama

The world is filled with those who labor in an inefficient manner toward a misaligned goal with limited ability to create impact.  I will not join them.  I will create a team which focuses on its worth, spends its time in service of excellence, and shares its gifts in the delivery of that commitment.

'Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that but simply growth.  We are happy when we are growing.'

- William Butler Yeats  

Worth is a byproduct of growth, not merely of victory or the trappings of success which linger.  I will be a leader committed to growth – and by doing so, one which brings worth to the team's work.

'I know of nothing more despicable and pathetic than a man who devotes all the hours of the waking day to the making of money for money’s sake.'  

- John D. Rockefeller  

That a man who had the money of a Rockefeller could recognize the importance of growth in more than a monetary context points to the universality of this truth.  In life, our worth is far more than mere monetary gain – and I will strive to create a team culture which will be one which embraces the necessity of fiscal success, but in the service of greater worth – the service of individual and collective growth.

'Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very quiet if only those birds sing there that sang best.'  

- Henry Van Dyke  

No matter the skill you have in an area, try at what you do.  My philosophy on talent acquisition ensures that my team will always be comprised of those who are pushing at the edge of their capability, and it is only through that pushing along the ragged edge of skill that we can create individual – and collective – growth.

'The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.'  

- Jack London  

Endurance, especially through the avoidance of challenge or rigor, may lead to prolonged existence, but with limited worth.  I will be a leader who rejects this approach to life, and embraces the difficult, for it is these hard things that strengthen and grow capabilities, and which impart worth to that which we do.

'Don’t be afraid to see what you see.'  

- Ronald Reagan  

Every individual’s perspective has value; while it may not define organizational priority, it certainly influences every decision.  I will be a leader who inspires every team member to speak up.  The group is stronger when each voice finds its worth and embraces its contribution to the team.

'You can’t let praise or criticism get to you.  It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.'  

- John Wooden  

Whether you are successful or fall short, whether you receive plaudits or rebukes, your worth is intrinsic to who you are; it is not tied to your skill or capability.  No person is better as a human being because they are better at a task, nor is the converse true.  I will embrace the division between these and fill my team with individuals who embody the necessary personal traits to avoid letting praise or criticism define their worth – in either direction.

'It’s easy to make a buck.  It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.'  

- Tom Brokaw  

We must never allow our success – or shortcoming – economically to be conflated with the worth that we bring to one another and to our clients.  It can be easy – and tempting – to tie these together; a greater salary or a greater profit or another economic metric can be quickly seen as the measure of worth.  Our true worth to one another comes in the form of the change, growth and improvement we inspire in our teammates, and I will lead a team which embraces this.

'We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.'  

- Ronald Reagan  

There will be those for whom my leadership style is not the right fit.  Some will reject my approach to conflict, to responsibility, to long-term thinking. When I find those who are not the right fit, it is important to remember that I can’t help everyone – that my worth is not the product of breadth but of depth.  My commitment to the team must be sacrosanct, and that requires the discipline of ensuring the right ‘one another’ is present.  I will be a leader who does not conflate the necessity of commitment with its universality, and who takes a disciplined approach to hiring and firing.

'A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.'  

- Jackie Robinson  

Self-important individuals have no place on my team.  Our worth is defined by our contributions, and our contributions are measured in the impact they have on others.  I will strive to create a culture which maintains its humility at all times, never indulging the desire to preen or boast, and which defines its internally oriented worth through its external contributions.