From I Want 2 We Need

In my role at the 100 Coaches Agency, I have the privilege of engaging in many thought-provoking conversations about leadership and coaching. Recently, a discussion with one of our coaches about a leader struggling to balance his personal desires with his team’s needs prompted me to reflect on the transformative journey from individual contributor to ultimately becoming a flourishing leader. In his frustration, the leader exclaimed that what he really wanted was for the team to listen to his direction and stop complaining about what they needed. This outburst is a good example of the path of growing from manager to leader. This growth occurs in three distinct stages, each marked by a shift in mindset and focus. Understanding these stages can provide valuable insights for anyone seeking to develop their leadership skills and reach the pinnacle of leadership.

The first stage of growth is the transition from individual contributor to manager. As an individual contributor, the primary focus is on personal gain – striving for more money, promotions, and recognition. The reward is often managerial positions, which requires a shift in perspective, as the leader is now also responsible for the needs and development of their team. This can be a challenging transition, as the new manager must learn to balance their own personal goals with the goals of the team. They must also develop new skills, such as delegation, communication, and conflict resolution. While this is a significant step forward, the manager's focus may still be largely on driving their people hard, often extracting value in order to reach targets, rather than finding new ways to create value.

The second stage of growth is the evolution from manager to leader. In this stage, the leader begins to prioritize the team's success above their own, recognizing that the team's achievements are intrinsically linked to their own. The focus shifts from extracting value to creating and expanding value, not just for the team, but for the organization as a whole. This requires a more strategic outlook and a willingness to empower and inspire others to reach their full potential. The leader must also cultivate a deep understanding of the organization's mission, values, and goals, and align their team's efforts accordingly. By fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, the leader can help their team achieve remarkable results.

The final stage of growth is the emergence of the flourishing leader. At this stage, the leader's focus extends beyond the team and organization to encompass the entire ecosystem in which they operate. The flourishing leader understands that true success comes from creating expansion and driving growth for all stakeholders – employees, customers, partners, and the broader community. They recognize that by prioritizing the collective good and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, they can achieve far more than they ever could by focusing solely on their own interests. The flourishing leader is a visionary leader who puts the needs of others first and works to create a better future for all. They inspire others through their actions, their integrity, and their unwavering commitment to excellence.

In life and leadership, the journey from individual contributor to flourishing leader is one of continuous learning, self-reflection, and growth. It requires a willingness to let go of the "I want" mindset and embrace the "we need" perspective. As coaches and leaders, our role is to support and guide others through this transformative process, helping them unlock their full potential and positively impact the world around them. By embodying the qualities of a flourishing leader and prioritizing the needs of those we love and lead, we can inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of growth and success that extends far beyond ourselves. It is a challenging journey but immensely rewarding, both personally and professionally. The possibilities are limitless for the leaders willing to embark on this path.

With love, gratitude and wonder,

Scott

Every Purchase Matters: How Fair Trade Farmers, Companies, and Consumers Are Changing the World by Paul Rice

My friend Paul Rice has written an insightful book called Every Purchase Matters that examines the evolution of the Fair Trade movement and conscious capitalism. As the founder and CEO of Fair Trade USA, he illustrates how ethical sourcing has transformed from a niche concept into a mainstream movement, with certifications like Fair Trade, Organic, and Non-GMO now common in major retailers. His central argument is that consumer purchasing power can create meaningful global change by protecting the environment and improving conditions for farmers and workers in supply chains worldwide.

Drawing from decades of experience working with CEOs, activists, farmers, and consumer advocates, my friend shares both successes and failures in making sustainable business practices the new standard. The book demonstrates that ethical business isn't just good for people and the planet but also benefits companies through "shared value" - where ethical practices create advantages for all stakeholders. Every Purchase Matters makes a compelling case for conscious capitalism's potential to build a more equitable and sustainable world, targeting consumers, business leaders, and investors interested in understanding their choices' impact.

The AI Recruitment Takeover: Redefining Hiring In The Digital Age by Keith Ferrazzi

In this provocative article, Keith Ferrazzi makes a compelling case that artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to upend traditional hiring practices completely. With his profound insights into HR tech, Keith argues that AI is rapidly evolving from a mere supporting tool to the primary driving force behind recruitment. He envisions a near future where AI can deftly handle every hiring task - from crafting job descriptions to identifying star candidates to conducting interviews and onboarding - all with superhuman speed and precision.

While Keith doesn't shy away from addressing critical ethical considerations around AI and hiring, like mitigating bias and protecting candidate privacy, he ultimately believes the potential benefits are too vast to ignore. His article serves as a wake-up call to any company still relying on outdated, human-driven hiring - embrace AI-powered recruitment or risk being left behind. Job seekers should also take note, as Keith paints a picture of a smarter, fairer hiring landscape where AI can unlock opportunities based on true potential rather than pedigree. It's a thought-provoking read that challenges our fundamental assumptions about the future of work.

IKEA THE COMPANY DECONSTRUCTED:RECONSTRUCTED by Ayse (Eye-Shay) Birsel

Ayse Birsel recently wrote an inspiring article expressing her love for IKEA and its innovative approach to design and business. She asserts that IKEA's success stems not only from their affordable furniture but also their ability to seamlessly combine seemingly opposing elements such as store and warehouse, quality and affordability, and global and local. She highlights IKEA's "rong" thinking, which challenges conventional wisdom and delivers unique value to customers. She emphasizes IKEA's strong empathy towards its customers, as evidenced by their thoughtful inclusion of kids' playgrounds, welcoming cafeterias, and their ability to adapt to the changing needs of their customers over time.

Ayse compares IKEA stores to engaging metaphors like a circus or playground, underlining the experiential nature of their retail spaces. She notes that IKEA's holistic thinking enables them to create breakthrough ideas that span across multiple systems, from manufacturing processes and raw materials to shipping and supply chains. Finally, she discusses how IKEA's value-based design, rooted in founder Ingvar Kamprad's personal philosophy of democratizing design and making well-designed furniture accessible to everyone, has shaped the company's approach and contributed to its ongoing success in revolutionizing how we think about our homes and the products within them.