Leadership Lessons From "The Rock" (Alcatraz, not Duane Johnson -- even though he is pretty awesome!)

Sometimes lessons in leadership come from the most unlikely places. 

Last week our family visited San Francisco for my daughter Elizabeth’s orientation to work in Japan for the next two years through the Japan Ministry of Education. It was only the second time Susan and I had been back since our honeymoon 28 years ago and our children’s first visit to the city by the bay.  Once Elizabeth finished her orientation, our family had an amazing time at the Disney Family Museum, Ghirardelli Square, Pier 39 at Fisherman’s Wharf, Japantown, the Golden Gate Bridge, Boudin’s Bakery, and Lombard Street.  While San Francisco has not been immune to the problems plaguing most of America’s big cities, it is still one of the most interesting and beautiful places on earth. If you haven’t been to San Francisco, you really need to go…

While the entire trip was memorable, I think the highlight for our family was our visit to Alcatraz.   As a child, I had been to San Francisco at least ? dozen times, but somehow our family never managed to take the 1.2 mile boat ride from Pier 33 to the iconic former federal prison in the middle of San Francisco Bay. And when Susan and I were on our honeymoon, touring solitary confinement cells was not exactly # 1 on our romantic to-do list. So, I couldn’t help being excited about finally getting the chance to tour the rock where notorious criminals like Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, and Robert “The Birdman of Alcatraz” Stroud had served hard-time. 

From a historic perspective, Alcatraz definitely did not disappoint. However, I was surprised at the number of lessons in leadership I gleaned from our 3-hour tour of "The Rock".

Here are just a few of them:

(1)   It is impressive how much attention people pay to the details when failing to do so may precipitate a life-or-death crisis. I saw this everywhere on the island, but the example that impressed me most was the “shadow boards” used for visual control in the prison kitchen. Those of you who practice lean manufacturing principles are probably familiar with shadow boards and that they only started being widely used in US companies in the 80’s and 90’s. However, Alcatraz prison kitchen workers started using shadow boards decades before corporate America caught on. 

Shadow boards are boards where the outline of tools are drawn so you immediately know where tools are supposed to go, when one is missing, and then ensure they make their way back to where they belong, almost as if there is an invisible, retracting cord attached to the tools (known in lean manufacturing as “automatic recoil”). 

Unfortunately, in a lot of US companies, the discipline in using shadow boards is severely lacking – tools are often missing, boards aren’t updated when tools change, and so forth. However, in the Alcatraz prison kitchen, workers always made sure knives made their way back to where they belonged, and if one went missing, the whole prison went on lock-down until it was found. The reason is obvious – failing to do so could result in injury or death at the hands of a hardened criminal. 

Now, I am not suggesting that a company go on lockdown when a tool goes missing, but it would be refreshing to see all of us have a little more sense of urgency in making sure we follow our systems – it can be the difference between success and failure in business. Remember, the best system is the one you follow.  An average system that you religiously follow is better than a brilliant one that only inspires half-hearted compliance.  

(2)   It is possible to create a bullet-proof culture even when the world around you is completely dysfunctional. I was surprised to learn that prison guards’ families lived on the island and those who spent their childhoods on Alcatraz described the experience as idyllic. They took a boat to school in San Francisco in the morning and then came back to The Rock in the afternoon and had the whole island to themselves to explore, play, grow gardens, have birthday parties, etc. The next time you feel the world is too-far-gone to create an empowering culture for your team, remember Alcatraz. If they could do it there, you can do it too.

(3)   Every organization needs a certain amount of structure and rules because thoughtful policies aligned with mission & vision drives the right behaviors to achieve those aims.   I have seen just about every extreme of company handbook, from Tesla’s one-page “anti-handbook, handbook”, to policy manuals that rival the page count of  War and Peace. I will admit my preference leans a little closer to Tesla’s approach, but I also realize that people crave boundaries, direction, and guidelines. While I am not advocating adopting the Alcatraz rule book, it is impressive how much their policies drove behaviors that promoted law and order.  Be sure to take the time to review your policies and procedures to be sure they drive the right behavior -- luckily yours won't likely need to be as harsh as the one below.

(4)    A compelling vision is not enough, if no path exists for people to actively participate in that vision.  When we first landed at Alcatraz, I looked back at San Francisco and commented how lucky the inmates had been to enjoy such a beautiful view of the city. However, during the tour, I learned the picture-perfect San Francisco skyline was one of the most deflating aspects of being incarcerated on the Rock because inmates knew being part of it was out of their reach. It reminded me that as leaders we must not only create a compelling vision for team members, but also create a clear path for them to achieve that vision and enjoy the attending rewards. 

(5)   Beauty and purpose can grow from even the most wretched circumstances. I fully expected Alcatraz to be a depressing reminder of how far human beings can sink. Instead, I was taken back by the beauty of the island. 

Since Alcatraz closed in 1963, birds started nesting on the island, creating a vibrant ecosystem. We saw baby snowy egrets and speckled western gull chicks, as well as dozens of nesting cormorants. Volunteers tend beautiful gardens throughout the island. Additionally, In 1969, Native American Indians occupied the island for a short time, bringing attention to historic injustices, resulting in the return of much tribal land throughout the United States. All of this on Alcatraz, a place which once had housed society’s most wanted criminals. As leaders it is important to remember that within every difficulty and setback, there is the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit. Every organization has its rough times. It is up to us as leaders to have the faith and courage to help others navigate that  adversity and see the greater good that waits on the other side.

I hope this blog has helped you elevate your leadership in some small way today…

~ Mark