We’re Not in Kansas Anymore: A Thinking Shift for Business

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

I recently went to a luncheon honoring women in leadership in the community. In addition to the local honorees, there was a special award given to congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. In spite of the tragic events that brought Ms. Gifford’s name into the national spotlight, she has a history of exemplary leadership not only in politics, but in her personal and business life.

She became the head of her family’s tire business in Tucson, Arizona after the death of her father. She learned the business from the ground up (and became an expert at changing tires) As the President and Chief Executive Officer of El Campo Tire, Inc, she faced the struggles that many small business owners in Arizona and across the nation face. In Washington, Giffords has worked hard to be a voice for small businesses and a tireless advocate for spending restraint and honest budgeting.

The other honorees also represented excellence in business and leadership in the community.

The local winner of the award is a young woman who has started an organization called Imagine Greater Tucson. She has brought together all people from every sector of Tucson to plan how and in what way we should grow. They are looking at sustainable, environmentally friendly growth that will benefit not only current residents, but future generations. I am interested because I am a business person, but they are looking at government, transportation, education, health care and social services.

It has me thinking, how does my business and what I do outside that business fit into the greater good? How am I helping to lead others to think about the choices they are making on a daily basis? Am I supporting them in being good leaders?

Leadership is something which we must all embrace and support in everything we do. In the context of business, leadership is crucial. Not only must we lead our own business, but to make a real difference, we must be willing to step up an lead in the greater arena and context of our local, state and even global community. Every decision matters. Every piece of the puzzle matters. I f you think that as a business person (large or small) , what is happening in government, education, the environment, technology, social and health services has nothing to do with you, then you need to think again.

Increasingly, we are becoming aware of the impact of all the actions of each of these entities on the other. It seems that only since we have been slapped awake economically, that we are looking for the real answers: not the quick fix. Is it complicated? Absolutely. Is there an easy answer? No.

Here is the good news. In every complicated, seemingly negative scenario, there are hidden gems. We no longer believe that we can spin straw into gold, but it seems that we are becoming aware that there are nuggets secreted away in the haystack. We only need to roll up our sleeves and start making hay. We cannot do things the same way as we always have. That much is clear.

So what do we do? Choose an arena that interests you….any of those mentioned above. Get out there and start asking questions. Get involved with one and get into action. Pay attention to the people you are meeting with. Do they have vision? Are they in it for their own personal gain? Are they sincere and live the values they are espousing?

This is what a leader does. First you follow. Then you lead. You make a move, you test, you see if others are interested and then you inspire them to take action. Being a leader is more about what you do with yourself than how many people are following you. Become the person YOU would want to follow and your business will benefit, your community will benefit and ultimately we will all benefit.