— To follow is a bullet of wisdom on leadership. It comes from Tom’s rifle, named Shot, who has seen it all. You’ll get the drift by clicking Blog in the menu at www.tomnewhouse.com. —
I WAS OFTEN STORED in the shop, the center of farm activity. Later I was hung in the milk house where Rudy or the hired man spent about six hours every day. I guess you would say I was accessible.
Should leaders be accessible? Maybe distance serves a purpose. Hmmm, let’s ponder this polarity. Surely leaders will have duties beyond the reach of those lower in the organization, and distraction hardly serves any cause. Yet collaboration, engagement, and purpose are rarely garnered through delegation. The challenge is to communicate in a way that enjoins direct reports and commandeers the culture. Instances of awareness and appreciation for workers in the trenches help tremendously, as long as they are genuine. (If you’re not genuine, stay away.)