“It’s Just Business…”
Shared by Kristina Smedley
“It’s Just Business…”
You often hear business ‘leaders’ say this phrase.
We need to cut 10 heads this year; “it’s just business”. We’re cutting recognition budgets this year; “it’s just business.” We need everyone in the office; we trust you though. “It’s just business.”
Personally, I hate this phrase.
It implies that ‘business’ has a mind of its own.
That it could run by itself, just racking in all the dough, without notice of the people.
The phrase becomes a scapegoat for real truths.
That we need to increase revenue and margins to keep our shareholders happy. This is more important than the livelihoods we enable.
We don’t trust a few of you, but we’re going to punish all of you to avoid hard discussions.
Etc.
I guess in this way, businesses do have a mind of their own.
Through taking over the minds and egos of what could otherwise be caring and impactful individuals and leaders.
One of my favorite leaders to study is Herb Kelleher, the Southwest Airline’s co-founder who just recently passed away.
Fortune Magazine once noted, “Kelleher was perhaps the best CEO in America.”
He didn’t get this distinguishment through an “it’s just business” mindset.
No.
Instead, he built a company that was as human as the humans in it.
He built a culture based on love, family, and fun.
That simultaneously made money.
He was adamant about putting the people of Southwest Airlines first.
Happy Employees = Happy Customers = Happy Shareholders.
Because of this, Herb was relatively conservative.
With Southwest being “THE low-cost airline.”
Always holding that his vision was to keep Southwest Airlines job-secure for their people.
Herb and the Southwest Airlines team has 46 years of consecutive profitability.
An unmatched achievement in the airline industry.
Herb said it best in a commencement address to graduates at the University of Texas:
“Our mortality signifies that we have one earthly chance to make a mark—to be remembered—as a leader who accomplished something constructive for humankind.”
That’s exactly what he achieved in his life.
And what I aim to achieve with mine.
As leaders, we always have a choice.
It will never be easy. We will have to fight for it.
But, we always have a choice to put our people first.
To build a culture that values everyone’s unique contributions.
To trust our teammates and believe they operate from good intentions.
To have the tough conversations and address issues as they arise.
As Inspirationally Impactful leaders, we must fight the “it’s just business” mentality.
Knowing that without our people, the business is nothing.
It’s through our people, that we can inspire, create, and positively impact our world.
#IntegrallyRelational
#PassionatelyServing
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