Book Recommendations
from Bret L. Simmons

From Bret's review: "Despite its flaws, it is a good book. It will make the list of optional readings for my MBA class this fall because I think it will have an impact on the students that read it. The book is very well written with excellent organization and a very conversational style. The best thing about the book is the numerous excellent examples Liz gives to support her points, coming from her years of experience as a top executive and consultant."

Order now from Amazon!

From Bret's review: "In this book, Nayar tells the story of how he transformed an already successful company, HCLT, into one of the fastest growing IT service partners in the world. The personal story Nayar shares is compelling, insightful, and at times funny and brutally honest. Have your highlighter handy when you read this because it is packed full of wisdom and quotable passages."

Order now from Amazon!

Enemies

February 14, 2010 by Bret L. Simmons · Filed under: Leadership, Purpose, Video

I would never advocate that you seek to make enemies at work. But the truth is if you commit yourself to being a purposeful leader or follower at work, you will have enemies.

Our enemy is anyone that consistently puts their self-interest ahead of the shared purpose. When a clear and purposeful alternative exists, egocentric and selfish behavior is both inexcusable and perilous.

Our organizations are full of these enemies of the purpose. As we go about our daily jobs, we neither seek to find them nor to avoid them. It is inevitable that at some point in time the paths of the purposeful and egocentric will cross. When that happens, confrontation can and should occur.

We must have the courage to confront the folks that display a consistent pattern of putting their self-interest ahead of our shared purpose. If we don’t confront their behavior, we put the integrity of our commitment to the purpose at risk.

Our conflict with our enemies is not personal, but be aware that they will try hard to make it personal. If they can frame it as personal conflict, then they can avoid the issue that drives our opposition to their behavior. We don’t have anything personal against them, but we do have a very professional objection to their behavior.

We are never relieved of the responsibility to continually care for our enemies, even as they malign our name and our purpose. And we should be prepared to lose, because the truth is we will probably lose more of these purposeful confrontations than we win. It comes with the territory.

Don’t miss the big picture. The real war is within ourselves. The real enemy is our own strong desire to chose popularity over purpose, position power over principle, mediocrity over excellence, and the security of the status quo over the discomfort and fear of personal transformation.

Be resolute. The stakes are very high.

Leadership: The Value Of Shared Purpose

Leadership: My Bias

If I Abuse Power, I Can Learn From Others And Change My Behavior

ACT Change: Develop A Vision For The Common Good

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Tags: accountability, ACT change, commitment, courage, ethics, integrity, values
Posted in Leadership, Purpose, Video

4 Responses to “Enemies”

davidburkus says:

February 15, 2010 at 5:25 pm

Reminds me of the quote: “Show me a man with no enemies and I’ll show you a man with no character.”

[Reply]
Bret L. Simmons Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
I agree. I’ll have more to say about that, I think. Thanks! Bret

[Reply]
Debra Deming says:

February 16, 2010 at 12:35 am

Very well said, and a very important message for us all as we come together for a common purpose.

[Reply]
Bret L. Simmons Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Thanks, Debra! Bret

[Reply]