It’s not progress if someone is left behind.

It’s not progress if someone is left behind. When you read that, how does that feel, how does that look, how does that sound to you?

“Progress is the opening of doors and the leveling of opportunity, the augmentation of the whole human see its and the protection of other species besides.”

“Progress is seeing calm, accepting, and thinking of others.”

Read this and really take it in. I did today and it has sparked wondrous ideas in me. I got this from a Paul Ford written article in a WIRED magazine from July 2019, because that’s how I use my quarantine time - I read year old magazines. Plus, I have to credit this man for his well written prose.

“Opening doors and the leveling of opportunity.” Sounds a lot like what our country is going through right now when framed around the “Black Lives Matter,” movement. 

As a leader, I believe it is imperative that we step into that role seeking out ways to open the door for those we bring into our tribe - into our organization. I also believe it is imperative that we are mindful of how others in our organizations might stifle their subordinates because they don’t want to be seen as an inferior leader. 

I have seen, experienced, and coached many a team and I’ve seen this countless times. This fear that if a subordinate succeeds, and is perceived as “better” than their manager, then one day that manager will have to call that person boss.

I have a theory that is less theory and more actuality I have seen play out - that many a mid-level manager isn’t all that good at their job. They have achieved a manager’s role and a leadership role because they have driven out the best talent through bullying, side-stepping, gossiping, etc. and the forward thinking talent has left for a better, less toxic work environment. 

This is very obvious in the hospitality industry. The achieving talent leaves for better pay and more responsibilities and the lazy, toxic employee sticks around because they see advancement opportunities coming in their way and they don’t really have to work all that much harder to achieve the promotion or keep their job.

When you look around your staff and workforce, do you see a high achieving talent base willing to push the boundaries rather than sticking with what is traditional and/or trending? Are you and your team really pulling the business toward the disruption point a company needs to be seeking in order to be on the cutting edge?

I’ll delve deeper into this, “opening doors and the leveling of opportunity,” as I wrap my head around what I am thinking on this subject after reading this article today. For now, I am merely opening a conversation I think is long overdue.

- Are you cultivating the talent in your organization? 

- Are you opening the doors for the leaders of tomorrow? 

- Are you and your managerial team mentoring them today and everyday?   

- Do you believe that progress is stepping over others or is it bringing them along with you because you know that there is plenty of room on this planet for everyone to succeed?

A true leader, not just someone who claims to be a leader, understands that the longevity they seek in their company is better served when morals, ethics, and values are in the forward thinking space and opportunities are open for everyone - not just those that kiss the right amount of ass or look like them.