This time of year throughout the U.S. and abroad we celebrate the culmination of students hard work by awarding them a diploma or degree from their high schools, colleges and universities. Each commencement ceremony follows a standardized protocol of who will speak, the pace to be kept and the expectations from those both in attendance and receiving the awards. A chosen few will lead the ceremony, the collective group will receive the commencement speech highlighting their collective accomplishments and each attendee will be awarded for their individual success. Among the individuals a number of them will be further honored through colored ropes and verbal acknowledgements for achieving above and beyond the requirements for successful completion. There are three key factors that we can apply in business that correspond to graduation: “Not everyone can be or should be the valedictorian or salutatorian”, “There is no we in individualism” and “Honor those who achieve more then the accepted standard”.
Not everyone can be or should be the Valedictorian or Salutatorian
In every field, occupation and business we see colleagues who are the valedictorians and salutatorians of our professions and organizations. They are the ones who have the answers to questions or problems and consistently perform at a level higher then the rest. Most often there is only one or two that meet this definition within individual departments or disciplines and in successful organizations these are the colleagues that make up the leadership team.
A key attribute in both the classroom and the boardroom is the recognition that not everyone needs to, can be or should be the valedictorian and salutatorian. Valedictorians in business are the colleagues who can “see” into the future and plan a roadmap of success. Salutatorians are the voice that precedes the plan; they are the announcers who get everyone on board even before they learn what they are going to be doing. The rest of the people, whether we call them colleagues, subordinates, worker bees, etc., are the folks that actually do the work required to achieve the goals.
A key attribute in both the classroom and the boardroom is the recognition that not everyone needs to, can be or should be the valedictorian and salutatorian. Valedictorians in business are the colleagues who can “see” into the future and plan a roadmap of success. Salutatorians are the voice that precedes the plan; they are the announcers who get everyone on board even before they learn what they are going to be doing. The rest of the people, whether we call them colleagues, subordinates, worker bees, etc., are the folks that actually do the work required to achieve the goals.
There is no "we" in Individualism
Each person within an organization brings specific talents, thoughts and processes to the table that we call their individualism. Often the reason a specific person is hired to join a team is because of their particular characteristics and attributes that will fit well and fill an actual or anticipated need. The group of individuals then become the “we” or team of the organization that collectively can accomplish the broader goals set forth by the leadership team.
Although it is always important to recognize and build a team atmosphere it is absolutely imperative to recognize and reward individualism. Failure to see the importance of each individual will ascertain that great ones seek out new opportunities for recognition elsewhere. This holds true for all persons in the organization, leaders and subordinates, regardless of their position or status.
Although it is always important to recognize and build a team atmosphere it is absolutely imperative to recognize and reward individualism. Failure to see the importance of each individual will ascertain that great ones seek out new opportunities for recognition elsewhere. This holds true for all persons in the organization, leaders and subordinates, regardless of their position or status.
Honor those who achieve more then the accepted standard
One important factor that we often forget in business is to recognize, acknowledge and reward those individuals who perform and achieve above the accepted standard. Although these individuals are part of the “we” team they also are the ones who give more then what is required. These individuals may not currently meet the requirements to join the leadership team as a valedictorian or a salutatorian but they are the ones who help move things forward at the ground level.
It is important to honor these individuals through recognition, responsibility and compensation. Honoring their efforts through these avenues helps to ensure that they will stay on with the company and continue to foster ground level progress that is so critical to success. In addition it is not uncommon for these individuals to grow into the future leadership team as they hone their skills and expertise under the guidance of the current leaders.
It is important to honor these individuals through recognition, responsibility and compensation. Honoring their efforts through these avenues helps to ensure that they will stay on with the company and continue to foster ground level progress that is so critical to success. In addition it is not uncommon for these individuals to grow into the future leadership team as they hone their skills and expertise under the guidance of the current leaders.
Remember, not everyone is a leader, everyone is an individual and some individuals perform above and beyond expectations
RSS Feed