Wimpy leaders don't wash feet! (2nd in series)
Evan Curry
Executive/Leadership Coach, Business Dean, Board Chair, Keynote Speaker & Author with Executive Experience in the Automotive Industry
Once, I was auditing a factory, and walked onto the production floor. I noticed a machine operator with a seemingly simple task. He was to install a seal into a widget, a few thousand times a day. The machine was designed to be error-proof. All the operator had to do was to press both palm-buttons. The machine would do the rest. One press should install one seal.
But this particular operator was struggling. He had to repeat the operation 5 or 6 times in order for one seal to install properly. That’s a big problem, since he was accountable to produce thousands a day. Upon closer inspection, I noticed the fixtures were worn out and loose. Machine maintenance was the source of the problem.
When I spoke to the operator, he said that he told his leader about it WEEKS ago! WEEKS? I asked the leader about it. He pointed his finger at the Maintenance Department. Finger pointing ensued, back and forth, back and forth.
You see, Wimpy Leaders don’t wash feet. In order to wash feet, one has to get down on one’s hands and knees. Instead, Wimpy Leaders are too busy creating stature, rising high to the sky. They don’t care enough, to stoop low enough, to hear or see their people, or notice their predicament. They care about their image, building their kingdom, and exalting themselves. They don’t believe in the reverse pyramid. They prefer being Pharaoh, always at the top. They hide behind their title and bark orders. It’s all about them, and not about their people.
Washing feet takes too much courage. It takes courage to be humble. Wimpy Leaders associate humility with vulnerability. Wimpy leaders fear mingling with the little people. If they associate with the little people, it may rub off on them. Instead, they hobnob with the rich and famous. Their image is most important, because their capabilities are in question. Wimpy leaders are insecure in their position.
Servant Leadership in its simplest form is to provide the needs of the people. People need maintained equipment. They need seals. They also need equipment maintenance, direction, motivation, decision-making, budget, boundaries, supplies, manpower, communication, problem-solving, etc. from their leaders. They need a humble, attentive leader who is willing to do whatever it takes to meet their needs, and even wash their feet, if need be.
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7 年Wimpy Leaders don’t wash feet. In order to wash feet, one has to get down on one’s hands and knees. Instead, Wimpy Leaders are too busy creating stature, rising high to the sky. They don’t care enough, to stoop low enough, to hear or see their people, or notice their predicament. They care about their image, building their kingdom, and exalting themselves. They don’t believe in the reverse pyramid. They prefer being Pharaoh, always at the top. They hide behind their title and bark orders. It’s all about them, and not about their people. YIKES. So then, how shall we lead? Excellent article.
Independent Financial Crimes Consultant
7 年If you're not willing to do the work yourself, you shouldn't be leading the people who do. Getting your hands dirty not only shows a willingness to serve but also shows that no one is above the work that needs to be accomplished.
Seeking employment NAVY, NASA at none
7 年Objection: Those who came to serve and not be served Do!
Operations Manager
7 年Absolutely true!
Solving problems and building teams
7 年Too much reliance on the process and forgetting the purpose. Isn't that true in so many circumstances. A good leader always goes to the gemba