Making Corn Plops and Pow Juice taught me several critical lessons about leadership, work and life.

Isn’t it amazing that a childhood game could teach so much?  I’m not sure if Dad had a full sense of his impact but we learned many powerful lessons:

• Attitude can Save your Life.
• Work can be Fun.
• Everyone should Know their Assignment.
• Teamwork gets Things done Fast and Efficiently.
• Correct, Don’t Condemn and be Sure to Complement.
• Great Leaders Stand with you Shoulder to Shoulder. 

Reflecting on Corn Plops and Pow Juice I realize that while Wheaties may be “The Breakfast of Champions” Corn Plops and Pow Juice is the true “breakfast of a championship organization and life.”

 

Great Leaders Stand with You Shoulder to Shoulder.

When I think of our imaginary enterprise the only picture that comes to mind is the three of us working together and Dad taking the lead.  We had good leadership. This was my first example of a leader standing shoulder to shoulder with those on their team.  Just like in sports (except for game-time) coaches are on the field with their players.  At game-time they are as close to their players as the rules will allow.  As leaders, that is how we need to be, standing shoulder to shoulder with those that we are responsible for.  

(To be continued.)

Correct, Don’t Condemn and be Sure to Complement.

I make mistakes; how about you?  Sometimes I don’t recognize my mistakes and I need someone to help me see them.  As fallible souls we need correction in our lives.  Good leadership will do this for us.  However, good leaders must correct immediately so that accumulated frustration doesn’t push them to condemn someone.  Condemnation can be very damaging and is difficult to repair.

Compliments are needed too.  Some studies recommend a 10 – 1 ratio of complements to correction.  If someone possessed a good quality, tell them.  If someone does a good job, tell them.  You can tell them and make it even more special with a hand written note.  If you have ever received one you know that this is a powerful way to affirm someone. 

(To be continued.)