The Optical Vision Site

Leading the Way in the Optical Workplace

I am a frequent flier and I like to read the airline magazines as they often have interesting articles and help pass the time. Southwest Airlines April, 2009 Spirit Magazine has a good article by Stephen R. Covey who wrote The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. In this article, from his newest book, The Leader in Me, he writes about leadership which should translate directly into Leading the way in the Optical workplace. I am not totally convinced but it certainly gets one thinking. Here is what Covey has to say:

TRUST FALLS ‘The president of Toyota once told me that Detroit just doesn’t get it. He said one reason for their struggles is they overemphasize marketing, design and technology, but don’t focus enough on building a culture that makes people accountable to each other as a team, and not just a single figure’

WISE CHOICES ‘Most people think that leadership is a position. It’s not; it’s a choice. Gandhi is the perfect example. If you live a principled life, moral authority will be conferred to you from below, instead of formal authority being bestowed upon you from above.’

OPEN DIALOGUE ‘When people feel they are understood, they cease being defensive and start becoming creative. I once introduced Indian talking sticks in discussions between Christians, Jews, and Muslims at the World Leadership Forum. One person spoke at a time, and over two days we saw agendas abandoned as people worked toward real, alternative solutions.’

PASSIONS ‘We need to break away from the Industrial-Age psychology that labels people as expenses and cell phones as assets. Jobs should cater to our interests. Instead of telling people what they’re hired to do, we should ask them what they love to don. Then create a marriage between that passion and your needs.’

I am not sure what else can be utilized to do a better job of Leading the Way in the Optical Workplace but I know from my own experience that Open Dialogue, Wise Choices, and Passion for the Job all have to be part of Leadership. What he says about cell phones being assets and people labled as expenses is very thought provoking. This article was a good reminder and a different perspective on this subjects.

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