Bar chats about leadership

Throughout my 30-year career in sales and business development, I've always been passionate about leadership. I often ask successful business leaders about the key traits that distinguish exceptional leaders and how they cultivate these skills. Many told me that they learned the most by observing and adopting behaviors they admired in other leaders. They also mention their most significant growth happened when they applied these behaviors in high-stakes situations or where they had to ‘fly solo without a safety net’ (more on this later).

I also noticed that my most candid and insightful conversations on this topic happened as casual chats at a bar. Coincidentally, before taking on my current role as an executive recruiter, I briefly stepped away from corporate life to bartend at a restaurant. I was now the one behind the bar, muddling, shaking, stirring, pouring, hauling ice and beer, cleaning (endlessly), and engaging in many bar chats, quite a few with business leaders.?I thoroughly enjoyed bartending, particularly being part of a dynamic team of servers, bussers, runners, kitchen expediters, hostesses, managers, chefs, and dishwashers. It often felt like a highly coordinated energetic dance.

This bartending chapter was the PERFECT time to delve back into doing firsthand research on leadership- a topic that continues to fascinate and pose challenges for companies globally.

• ?Gallup states that only 10% naturally possess the talent to lead, and even fewer have the unique blend needed for remarkable team performance. “These leaders engage, retain, and drive productivity”.
• ?In a Sept 2022 HBR paper on leadership (I highly recommend reading) the authors states: “When people first become managers, most believe that their power derives from their position in the hierarchy. Yet they soon discover that their direct reports, especially the most talented, don’t follow orders. And although they may think that compliance is what they want, commitment is what they need. If people aren’t committed, they won’t take the initiative, or the risks required to execute or engage in even incremental innovation.” https://hbr.org/2022/09/what-makes-a-great-leader .??

I had chats with over 40 business leaders, some at a bar and a few while I served as their bartender. They were from different industries and held roles such as CFOs, CIOs, CMOs, heads of sales, regions, industry practices, and business units. Among the 40, 15 stood out for embodying essential qualities needed in today's business world: sincerity, adaptability, humility, keen observation, self-awareness, and a motivation beyond material gain and power. They had a strong drive to create a positive impact and help others. I documented these chats.

My aim now is to share these conversations as a guide for the next wave of leaders. Each week, I'll post weekly based on 5 key themes and share snippets from my talks. Think of these posts like a cocktail recipe– a mix of leadership tips, blended to make a complete drink.

I encourage you to share your perspectives as well. Let's dive into this topic together, like we're having a friendly chat at a bar!

Cheers and see you next week!