Yesterday, I lunched with a client on the top floor of one of the tallest buildings in Los Angeles. It was a beautiful day and the view was incredible. Even more incredible was our conversation. It was one of our first meetings and so we spent our time sharing what makes each of us unique.
I looked out the window, and there, far below I noticed a field where some youth were playing soccer. They looked so incredibly tiny. I could not really distinguish the ball. I am sure it was there, but it was too small for me to see. All I could make out were the colors of the uniforms moving on dark green grass.
I drifted for a moment and wondered about the emotion and noises that must have been occurring on the ground. I imagined that a great competition was occurring. I knew that there was a different feeling down there than what was being evoked from my vantage point.
Life At The Top
I suddenly realized that the view I was experiencing was very similar to what the senior leaders of large organizations see when they consider their business operations. They can see the big picture, but they are so far removed from it, that when they look at those who work so hard to make it all happen they generally only see a bunch of dots on a screen.
I do not wish to suggest that they are bad people. My clients work at the upper levels, and I know they are good people, but they are often so far removed from what happens on the front line that they do not see the energy and the daily struggles that are required to make it all happen. They just see the reports and declare that “people are their most valuable asset” without ever realizing that what their actions are really saying is that “people are their most important tool”.
Seeing Things As They Really Are
My job is to help them see what is really going on down there. I want them to realize the impact of the organization on the individual. I need them to begin seeing everybody involved as a person, and not just a tool. This objective drives the results that are seen from the work that I do.
The systems I facilitate become energized from the many opportunities we create to raise people up to their full potential. That is why I often refer to the work that I do as “raising human capital”. The work we do together is focused on helping the senior leaders see that they are capable of offering so much more. It doesn’t take long for them to see that their people are just as interested in creating a thriving organization as they are.
Their people don’t want to be used and then disposed of when they are no longer needed. Instead, they are seeking opportunities to contribute and to be valued for their contributions.
Elevator, Going Up!
The work on the ground is just as important as the work at the top. Thriving organizations understand this and constantly look for ways to create opportunities for every individual to do what they do best every single day. Empowerment is not just a buzz word for them. Instead, they delegate both responsibility and power, which encourages and fosters independence of thought and action. They create cultures of accountability by constantly raising the bar on the way they value each individual. They encourage maximum communication.
Consider your organization:
What are you doing to help things get better?
Do you see and value the contributions from every level?
Are you modeling the way?
It all starts with you. No one else can do it for you. The choices you make will determine the direction of your organization. You may feel alone at times, but it only really takes one serious voice to create the conditions we need to thrive. Step into your potential.
Live Today! Love Today!
Andrew Thorn
andrew@andrewthorn.com – 760-559-3548
