THE SYMBOLS YOU SEND SPEAK LOUDER THAN YOUR WORDS
Symbols are a dominant reference point for others, about what you value and expect as a leader. For example, if you say that your people are your most important asset, then you can’t cut the training budget every year. If you value collaboration, then you can’t reward those who compete with their colleagues. If you say times are tough and money’s tight, then you can’t have executives flying around in first class.
A former client, Patrick, was appointed to be the CEO of an underperforming American technology company, that needed a commercial and cultural turnaround. Week one of his tenure happened to coincide with the company’s annual sales conference, which was at a venue ninety minutes by plane from head office. It was attended by the whole executive team and 75 sales managers.
At six feet-six inches, Patrick made an immediate impact when he stepped on board the plane, walked past every member of his executive team in business class, and squeezed into his economy seat among the sales managers. Patrick never had to say a word. That one action, which was both practically and symbolically significant, set the tone for his leadership and became legendary in the organisation.
Every symbol you send is an act of integrity, or evidence of hypocrisy. If you want your actual culture to look like your desired culture, make sure that the symbols you send are supporting you, rather than undermining you.
INSPIRATION FROM OTHERS
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – President John Quincy Adams
“What you do has far greater impact than what you say.” — Stephen Covey
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON
- What symbols do you send to those you lead today?
- On reflection, how aligned are your words and actions?
- What symbols could you send in the future to signal what’s most important to you?
If you’d like to receive future blogs, please subscribe here.