Mr. Watson was Right!

“Nothing so conclusively proves a man’s ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.” – Thomas Watson, Jr.

In today’s world of instant-access to millions of armchair experts there is no shortage of “leadership strategies.” It doesn’t matter if you are researching best practices to lead others, lead a team, lead clients to working with you, or lead yourself – you can find thousands upon thousands of “how-to” and ‘fixes”.

This is not one of those.

The simple statement above, by a brilliant man who worked his way up from a sales position to the CEO of IBM in the 50’s, is still as true today as it was then: it all begins with you.

The most important part of being a leader is what goes on inside your head, and the daily activities you commit to.

Mr. Watson’s 5 principles for growth:

• There is no substitute for face-to-face human relations.
• Have consistent and continually increase your communications.
• Complacency is a fast-growing disease – strive to keep educating yourself and nurture innovation.
• Cooperation and collaboration are imperative and must outrank self-interest.
• Your beliefs/purpose must come before policies, processes, strategies and goals. They must always stay in alignment.

Take a look at this list. What is the common denominator?

Did you see it?

Yep! OTHER PEOPLE!

All of these principles for growth require other people. To see great success you must surround yourself with people who challenge you. Enthusiastic, intellectual people with good attitudes will push you, encourage you, help you innovate and create, plus hold you accountable to your beliefs and your purpose.

“The great accomplishments of man have resulted from the transmission of ideas and enthusiasm.” – Thomas Watson Jr.

This also requires other people, communicating with other people, cooperating and collaborating with other people. Success is not found in isolation but rather in community.

Think about this: if you were walking down a path and saw a turtle on a fence post you know, without a shadow of a doubt, that someone put him there. He did not achieve that climb by himself. And without the help of others he will fall to his death if he does not accept help off that ledge.

It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help…it is a strength.

How can you improve on each of these 5 principles this week?

Well, number 1-4 can all see improvement and advancement by attending networking events, especially if they have a component of sharing of ideas, concepts and strategies and not just a 30-second commercial encounter.

Your next big idea, your next success-building strategy, your next TA-DA might come from someone within a group you are participating with or an event speaker that you make the time to listen to.

As for number 5: take a look at your strategies and goals. Are they in alignment with your beliefs, your purpose and your passions? Only you can determine this – and if not, make a change.