I had the pleasure of hearing keynote speaker Jim Collins at the American Alpine Club‘s Annual Benefit Dinner last weekend. Whenever I have doubts about my own abilities as a leader, performances like the ones Collins gave renew my faith in myself.
Collins, author of Good to Great, Built to Last, and How the Mighty Fall, changed my life two years ago with his idea of “getting the right people on the bus and the wrong people off the bus.” It was directly from this idea that I chose to restructure the library staff with personnel who were far more flexible, productive, and visionary than what I previously had. It has sometimes been difficult to manage, but I wouldn’t trade making that decision for anything.
In his keynote presentation last weekend, Collins talked about “humility” and how the best leaders have plenty of it. Part of what Collins meant by humility was to wait until you have the “right people on the bus” before you try to employ a vision for your organization. It is allowing your people to take root and grow before making any significant efforts or changes. It is allowing your people to create their own visions for their jobs and finding a way to bring those ideas into a bigger picture.
Hell, your people may be more talented and visionary than you are. If that’s the case, the best thing you can do as a leader is give your people what they need to do their jobs and then get out of their way. To stifle or roadblock good efforts is a sign of insecurity and weakness.
I now have more confidence in myself than ever before. Thank you, Jim.
