Profit IdeasDoing the Right Thing (Even When Nobody's Looking)
MajGen. John Batiste, Partner
Level Five Associates
Monday, September 28, 2015
•2020 Vision •distribution management best practices •opinion / commentary •expert interview •management strategies •Wholesale Distribution Industry •personnel development •leadership training
In this discussion between Randy MacLean and John Batiste, they discuss the importance of having a disciplined approach in an organization. It's what John refers to as, doing the right thing when nobody's looking.
Batiste, a retired Major General from the U.S. Army, took his military leadership principles to the business world where he built a culture of discipline in a company that enjoys a good deal of success.
Many people recoil when they hear the term "culture of discipline" because they think of a culture of discipline in a pejorative sense. That's simply not the case. Rather, a culture of disciple is all about people doing the right thing when no one is looking, and sticking with the more-difficult right thing to do, as opposed to taking the easier wrong route.
In an industry where employee safety is as big a concern, if not bigger, than profitability, discipline is incredibly key to a company's success. Safety was a big deal in John's business because it involved handling things that could kill people if they fell over. This meant that the level of risk that was inherent in the product line could really add to the cost of business. I'm sure the workman's compensation was astronomical.
It's also about treating your team members right. Great leaders should never ask any of their team members to do anything they wouldn't do themselves. Equally important is that leaders – of any organization at any level – have to walk the talk. They need to embody the company's values 24 hours a day, both on and off the job.
This is a very interesting discussion that goes directly to good leadership principles and ethics. Don't miss it! [click for article]
For more information about MajGen. John Batiste, visit: www.levelfiveassociates.com