High Impact Leaders Have High Impact Values

A person cannot do right in one department whilst attempting to do wrong in another department. Life is one indivisible whole. ~ Gandhi

In the last two lessons in this short series (Part 1 & Part 2) on values, I discussed how our values determine our results. Thank you to those who shared your thoughts, comments, and feedback.

I also asked those that are serious about personal growth and development to be intentional and reflect on your values. I challenged you to ask yourself some serious questions relative to your values and to consider the positive or negative impact they are having on your life. Self-awareness is the key that will open the door to your potential.

We've all got an endless supply of potential, waiting patiently to express itself through our individualized talents and gifts. The challenge is we're just not conscious of it.....raising your awareness is what has to be done if you're to enjoy greater success in your life. ~ Christian Simpson

High Impact Leaders with High Impact Values

To help raise your level of awareness relative to the importance of values, I want to showcase a few high impact leaders with high impact values that have delivered amazing results, not only for themselves, but also for their teams and their organizations. High impact leadership is about we, not me. High impact leaders know that advancing themselves is important, but helping others advance is most important. High impact leaders know how to "Make an Impact!"

Since I put the spotlight on Chick-fil-A in my last lesson, it's only right to begin with the two high impact leaders that made it all happen: Truett Cathy and Jimmy Collins.

S. Truett Cathy, Founder of Chick-fil-A

I've been referencing Chick-fil-A as a model of high impact leadership for many years. They are who they are because of the values near and dear to Truett Cathy. Truett's values have been a recipe for success. What is the high impact value Truett feels has been at the foundation of his results? Biblical principles.

Here are some thoughts from the man that risked $10,600 ($4,000 of his own and $6,600 that he borrowed) in 1946 to start his first restaurant, which has now grown into a $6 billion organization:

1. "We all know that the scorecard of any business is the profit it produces. Without profit, we cannot take care of our employees, our families, or contribute to the betterment of our communities. The question is: How do we balance the pursuit of profit and personal character? For me, I find that balance by applying Biblical principles. I see no conflict between Biblical principles and good business practice." S. Truett Cathy
2. "When we're fully committed to something, we're not likely to give up or be discouraged. It works in our business life as well as in our relationships, and our relationship with Jesus Christ. When you're fully committed, you see strange and unusual things happen that otherwise wouldn't if you were not committed. That's been a key to my life, a key to success. When you're fully committed, you're not likely to fail." ~ S. Truett Cathy
3. "You don't have to ask me, 'How did you do it, Truett?' when it comes to maintaining a good reputation. Everybody knows the answer to that question. God gives each of us the answer in our hearts. We know what is right and what is wrong. When we choose the right thing, our reputation is enhanced." ~ S. Truett Cathy
4. I have a signed copy of Truett's book, Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People. Written underneath his signature is "Proverb 22:1" which reads, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver or gold."

Jimmy Collins, retired President/COO, Chick-fil-A (33 years)

There's a reason Jimmy was attracted to Truett: his values are rooted in Biblical principles too. My wife, Ria, and I had the privilege of spending two hours privately with Jimmy recently. We both read his book, Creative Followership: In the Shadow of Greatness, before our meeting. So, I already knew one of Jimmy's top high impact values: serving others. What's awesome about Jimmy is that he doesn't just say it. He lives it. His actions and track record match his words. This is true for all high impact leaders.

We all know we should serve our customers, but Jimmy's value of serving shifts from ordinary to extraordinary in the area of serving the leader/manager/boss. It's much easier to serve a leader than it is to serve a boss or manager, but it's equally important to serve them all. Or, to put it in Jimmy's words, we need to always be practicing "Creative Followership."

Here are some thoughts from the man that defined and refined "Creative Followership" while following Truett Cathy for 33 years:

1. "WORKER - We must clearly understand the difference between the role of a worker and the role of a follower. A worker is someone who does a job. A worker is not a follower (though a worker could potentially become a follower). A worker works for a boss.
   BOSS - A boss is the person with positional authority over workers. Being a boss has nothing to do with how well or how poorly a person does his or her job. All the word boss signifies is the person who oversees the activities of the workers." ~ Jimmy Collins
2. "A boss is someone with authority, whereas a leader is someone with followers joined to the leader via a unifying purpose." ~ Jimmy Collins
3. "The real definition of a leader: a person with followers." ~ Jimmy Collins
4. "The stronger the leader, the stronger and smarter the follower must be to successfully support and execute the necessary tasks." ~ Jimmy Collins
5. "The follower must never put himself in competition with the leader. Remember your role as the follower; your role is to work for the boss, not against the boss or in competition with the boss. No matter how tempting it may be to draw attention to yourself, the competition is fixed; you will not come out the winner." ~ Jimmy Collins
6. "A trusted and established follower shares the reputation of the leader, as well as much of the leaders influence." ~ Jimmy Collins

Captain D. Michael Abrashoff, former commander USS Benfold

When Captain Abrashoff took command of the U.S. Navy's USS Benfold, a guided missile destroyer, it was ranked near the bottom of the Pacific Fleet, and at the age of 36, he was the most junior ranking officer in the Pacific Fleet. He was taking over a very tough crew who also hated the previous captain. The immediate challenges that faced him were staggering: exceptionally low morale with unacceptably high turnover and poor performance results.

Few thought this ship could improve. So what happened? In just two years, Captain Abrashoff led his crew from worst to first. Personnel turnover decreased to an unprecedented 1%. The rate of military promotions tripled, and the crew slashed operating expenses by 25%. Regarded as the finest ship in the Pacific Fleet, Benfold won the prestigious Spokane Trophy for having the highest degree of combat readiness. Captain Abrashoff's book, It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy, is on my top 10 all-time list.

What was the underlying value that allowed Captain Abrashoff to lead his crew to such an amazing turnaround? He embraced the high impact value of empowerment. When he took command, one of the first things he made clear to every crew member was this: It's your ship. Here are some thoughts from Captain Abrashoff:

1. "Real leadership is about understanding yourself first, then using that to create a superb organization. Leaders must free their subordinates to fulfill their talents to the utmost. However, most obstacles that limit people's potential are set in motion by the leader and are rooted in his or her own fears, ego needs, and unproductive habits." ~ Captain D. Michael Abrashoff
2. "My ship's job was war; your company's purpose is profit. But we will achieve neither by ordering people to perform as we wish. Even if doing so produces short-term benefits, the consequences can prove devastating. My experience has shown that helping people realize their full potential can lead to attaining goals that would be impossible to reach under command-and-control." ~ Captain D. Michael Abrashoff
3. "The command-and-control approach is far from the most effective way to tap people's intelligence and skills. To the contrary, I found that the more control I gave up, the more command I got. In the beginning, people kept asking my permission to do things. Eventually, I told the crew, 'It's you ship. You're responsible for it. Make a decision and see what happens.'" ~ Captain D. Michael Abrashoff
4. "Show me an organization in which employees take ownership, and I will show you one that beats its competitors." ~ Captain D. Michael Abrashoff
5. "I was not interested in flattery or fluff. Rigidity gets in the way of creativity. Instead of salutes, I wanted results." ~ Captain D. Michael Abrashoff

What have we learned?

These high impact leaders have taught us two things for certain:

1. High impact leaders always have high impact values.
2. Our values determine our results.

Are you a high impact leader? Do you aspire to be a high impact leader?

Don't miss my last blog in this series: 10 Values of High Impact Leaders.

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Make an impact!

Mack Story

My passion is to help you live with abundance, achieve success, choose significance, and leave a legacy. In other words, I want to help you make a High Impact !

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Mack’s story is an amazing journey of personal and professional growth. He began his career in manufacturing on the front lines of a machine shop. He grew himself into upper management and found his niche in lean manufacturing and along with it, developed his passion for leadership. He understands that everything rises and falls on leadership.

Mack is the author of Blue-Collar Leadership Series, Defining Influence, & 10 Values of High Impact Leaders. He's an inspiration for people everywhere as an example of achievement, growth, and personal development. His passion inspires people all over the world! Order signed copies here.

Mack’s experience as a John Maxwell Certified Leadership Coach, Trainer, and Speaker includes an international training event in Guatemala with John as part of the Cultural Transformation in Guatemala where more than 20,000 Guatemalan leaders were trained.

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