Cows don't have offices

It snowed in North Texas yesterday, a rare thing- so my wife and I took a walk in the snow on the ranch to enjoy the moment while it lasted.

As we walked, we ran into these folks - (pictured above) a herd of cows, they where also checking out the snow, and to see if we had any food for them. Standing in a Texas pasture eye to eye with the herd while the snow was falling was perfect moment in time- I'm glad we made the effort to do so, life is short.

I started thinking about something business related as I often do - and I noticed two things about the cows: 1. They had an obvious leader and 2. The leader did not have an office.

The Leader: cows are definitely "herd" animals, they all do what the herd does- if the herd runs- they all run. If the herd beds down- they all bed down, but they always follow a leader who instigates those actions. Most people would look at a herd of cows and think "look at how dumb cows are, they all just do whatever the herd does..."

I look at the herd and think "what great leadership from the lead cow, the entire organization willingly follows whatever he/she does! That is amazing!"

So, I got to thinking about why everyone follows that lead cow... and it hit it me!

The Office: Cows don't have offices!

The leader isn't hidden away in some cool office with his MBA on the wall, a putting green rolled up in the corner by the leather couch (disclaimer :)-cows might not have a leather couch, if they did have an office) The leader is OUT THERE IN THE FIELD WITH HIS/HER TEAM.

The lead cow is ALWAYS with the team, rain??mud??snow?? 108 degrees?? That cow is always,always with the team- no matter what the weather or conditions might be.

Maybe that's why they all follow so easily...

I know what you are thinking, "Jason, I have reports, and so many things to do to run my business and things that are due to corporate, how can I be with my team all the time?- that's not realistic"

Maybe it is...Maybe its just an excuse... - I get it, trust me, I get it- in the office if you don't receive and respond to at least 50 emails a day, then you didn't do anything- right?

However- if you deal with people, and if you are a leader of a "herd" don't you think it worth a try to spend sometime in the rain with them? They will be there, even if you aren't- and if you try to lead them with dry clothes - don't you think they will notice that you are the only one not soaked with rain?

I'm not saying that you have to leave the office and spend 8-12 hours a day with them, but maybe spending 1-2 hours (even 30 minutes) a day during the "rain, snow, heat" (whatever that means in your business) might be a great place to start.

When I ran Assisted Living Communities as an Executive Director I used to keep scrubs in my car- if the team got stuck in the mud, out came the scrubs and I joined them in the mud...I also tried very hard to work a full shift on the floor once a month.

Did my team like that? ...They FREAKING LOVED it.

Leaders lead PEOPLE not KEYBOARDS. (I know, I love you IT people...I didn't forget about you ??) And...its really hard to lead people from a chair (sorry again IT people- IT people CAN lead from a chair)

I promise you that if you want to be an effective leader, you have to spend a little time in the field with the team- they will love you for it and they WILL follow as you walk through the rain, snow, mud, heat WITH them!

Try it! and please leave your feedback, or YOUR stories of how you currently LEAD with your team- I would love to hear it

After all, it is Mootivational Monday! ??