Do Corporations Have Soul?

The better question might be do corporations NEED soul? If we equate soul to "moral compass," then ""yes" indeed corporations need souls and indeed many do not have souls. Given the economic conditions that we face as a nation, would having a soul have prevented the financial disasters we witness? Would "greed" have been overcome?

I think woven into this notion of having soul or a moral compass is the concept of self awareness and self-respect. When one's values are centered on integrity, respect and fairness one is authentically centered on these values, how is it possible to lie, to be dishonest, to treat different groups of people differently, to treat people badly? How is it possible?

Yet, I have seen it in organizations where executives are dismissive to front line workers: "Oh, they do not know what they are talking about." I have seen executives sign off on new policies only to exclude themselves from having to adhere to them: "Oh that policy does not apply to me."

I am in search of organizations whose executives do not behave this way. I am in search of examples where there is "corporate soul" and "authentic leadership." Do you know where I can find such examples? In government? In not-for-profits? In healthcare? In law firms?

Optimism, Pessimism, Realism

If you had the choice, would you hang out with Eeyore or Tiger? I have had the "pleasure" of working with both types. At first, your heart goes out to Eeyore. How sad, the poor guy can't seem to get a break. It doesn't take long though for you to figure out that the guy just can't be happy about anything. You stop being flattered that he...or she...stops by to use you as a "sounding board." By they time he or she is finished talking with you, you feel drained. That's because "Eeyore" sucked out all the oxygen in the room with his or her pessimism. On the other hand, there is the guy who is filled with energy and all smiles. His or her presence is almost contagious. Everything is coming up roses. Everything is terrific. Everything. These extremes just don't cut it. You want to hang out with this guy...until you find you just can't keep up.

Should we strive for the balance? Be in the middle? Or does that get dull too? Is being balanced, level-headed? Realistic? Does being balanced, pull you out of depressive times?

I think it is a matter of timing and spectrum. If you wake up one morning feeling like you lost your tail, for heavens sake, appreciate how you feel. Just know that you can't stay there for an extended period of time or you will make yourself sick. Love and appreciate the days you wake up ready to bounce around with joy and happiness because it is unlikely that you will do that every single day of your life....and if you do, I want to know what your formula is.

So talk to me about this notion of optimism and pessimism and realism.

Authoritarian or Authority Figure?

I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Ron Heifitz speak on leadership. His remarks generated new insights that have helped clarify what I consider a C-Suite condition. As a result of working with and watching talented people rise to positions of greater responsibility, I have been struck by their seeming lose of what got them to these positions. Skills and capabilities like: being personable, open and trusting, caring, thoughtful, good listeners become overshadowed by just the opposite. Dr. Heifitz reminds us that we often confuse being an authority figure with good leadership and vice versa. "Getting to the top" may require that you are the most expert in your field, but it does not always mean having good leadership skills. Likewise, having good leadership skills does not always mean that you are the expert or the "authority" in your field.

But what should we expect from the people at the top of the organization? Expertise? The authority in their field? Or should they have great leadership skills? Some of the answer depends upon the organization. I speculate though that employees who work throughout these organizations want both. If push comes to shove, employees will opt for great leadership skills with the hope that the person in charge would use the employees for their expertise.

Is this making sense?