The Rise of the Ampersand: A Leadership Lesson

As we navigate through one of the most challenging times in recent history, it's important to remember that leaders are not just managers. They are visionaries who empower their team, mentor their subordinates, and collaborate with others to drive innovation and growth. And what better inspiration for leadership lessons than the humble ampersand?

In case you're not familiar with its story, the ampersand was once just a mere symbol within the tight clique of the English alphabet. But it refused to conform and instead forged its own path, becoming an extremely powerful and universal symbol that transcends language and culture.

[Full disclosure: I'm an alum of William & Mary , where the ampersand lives boldly and proudly!]

The lesson here is clear: embracing diversity and uniqueness leads to growth. As leaders, we must recognize and celebrate the differences in our team members—whether it's in the way they look, act, talk, or think. Because it's these differences that ultimately bring about the magic of growth.

But here's another important lesson from the ampersand: sometimes you will do all you can do & your best people will leave you. And as strange as it may sound, this is actually a sign of success. It means that as a leader, you have done your job well by empowering and mentoring your subordinates to the point where they are now ready for bigger and better opportunities.

But don't worry, just like how the ampersand left the English alphabet to gain international recognition, your former subordinates will always remember the lessons they learned from you and carry them forward in their new endeavors.

So how can we apply the lessons of the ampersand to crisis leadership in the next normal? One key aspect is through "&" thinking instead of "OR" thinking. In times of uncertainty and ambiguity, it's easy to fall into a black-and-white mentality and make decisions based on either/or choices. But as leaders, we must learn to manage paradoxes and embrace the power of "and"—finding solutions that integrate seemingly contradictory ideas and perspectives.

For example, in the face of a crisis, we must balance the need for immediate action with the importance of long-term planning. We must simultaneously prioritize both the physical and mental well-being of our team members. And we must navigate through financial and operating challenges while also staying true to our company's values.

It's a delicate balancing act, but just like the ampersand, we must find our unique way of thriving in the face of adversity. As leaders, it's our job to empower our team members to do the same, mentor them through difficult times, and collaborate with others to drive innovation and growth.

So let us all embrace the lessons of the ampersand and remember that sometimes, the greatest successes come from embracing diversity, managing paradoxes, and thinking in terms of "and" instead of "or." As we navigate through crises together, let's lead with the strength and resilience of the ampersand. After all, it may just be a simple symbol in our language, but its rise to glory holds powerful leadership wisdom for us all. Keep thriving, my fellow leaders.

#ATestForOurTime #AmpersandWisdom #CrisisLeadership #NextNormal #NextNormalLeadership #GoTribe

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