Blaming King Kong

There are many ways people have used movies to teach leadership.  Thousands of clips are sitting out on YouTube, on our shelves,  and etched in our memories.  They capture leadership truths on a big screen with a creative flair that stays with us.  Movies do more than entertain us.

I was looking for some simple entertainment in Peter Jackson’s King Kong remake to pass the time on the bike for a couple workouts. If you only know King Kong as a giant gorilla, it’s the story of one man’s extreme measures to film and eventually capture a 2 ½ story gorilla legend from an uncharted island and bring it to New York City in 1931.  After experiencing the loss of several crew in the pursuit, this interaction occurred.

Denham (the movie producer): I've risked everything I had on this film.

Captain (of the boat and crew): No Denham, you risked everything I have.

Denham was infected with “teleopathy” – a pursuit of a goal that becomes so strong that all reason, moral perspective, and compassion for people is put aside and justified by the end result.  As no surprise,  the camera and film was lost, most of the crew was lost, and in the end New York City was torn up and more lives lost including King Kong.  In the end, Denham nonchalantly blames  Kong and his pursuit of the blonde actress – “It was beauty killed the beast” and walks away from any responsibility he had as the leader pushing through all obstacles without regard to the risks of everyone else.

When teleopathy infects a leader, it doesn’t just impact the leader.  It impacts all that they have been entrusted.  Leaders, in many ways, are stewards of people, relationships, brand, customers, facilities, money.  Each feels the ripple (and sometimes waves) of decisions infected with teleopathy.

Everyday we enter the day with an allotted number of minutes, a role, a team, relationships, and other tangible goods and services.  Denham played the part of the irresponsible steward on the big screen.  We have the real opportunity every day to be a servant leader to empower and support our teams in our collective work balancing the pursuit of a goals with being a wise steward and leaving things better than when they were given.

Staying Grounded

Hanging in my office is the painting “Christ My Pilot” by Warner Sallman.  It has hung in my office for over 15 years. His most famous painting was “The Head of Christ” in 1941 that has now sold more than 500 million copies. Warner was recognized as the “best-known artist of the century” by the New York Times in 1994.  The goal of his paintings was to “illuminate the mysteries of Christ” so that people would understand what a relationship with him would bring.

What was the mystery it captured for me?  I have made some mistakes along the way in my leadership journey.   I have also had successes that have been a lot of fun, and learned a lot about myself, my faith, and my passions.  The painting came to represent how I feel much of the time leading organizations and working with some very committed volunteers and staff.  I know my success as a leader comes only as much as I am willing to put myself in the picture as the young sailor and commit the tasks to the one who had prepared me for the work ahead.

Psalm 32:8 (ESV) says "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."  While I don't know if this was the verse Warner had in mind as he painted this picture in 1950 while staying at a YMCA, I do know this is the promise I have as leader when I am willing to let God direct my steps to accomplish his plan.

It’s easy to fall back on past success or get caught up in the stress of the moment and forget that apart from God my efforts fall short. I have to remember that it is through him that I am able to align my head, heart, hands, and habits to accomplish all that he has laid out for me as a leader.  Edging God out – as Ken Blanchard calls it - in even one of these areas will eventually end in a leadership failure and not achieving all that was possible.

So – what is the reminder for you to keep grounded and connected to your values and beliefs?  

Learn, Connect, Grow

One of the reasons I enjoy helping facilitate training and leadership sessions is the opportunity it provides to learn from the participants and be reminded of best practices.  There's always at least one of those “aha" moments that makes me pause and retune what I am doing.

I was on a career panel this weekend answering questions and sharing thoughts on career development.   Two questions put my brain in motion. But the one that challenged me to rethink some things was  a basic question.  "How do I find a mentor and how do I network for success?"  It hit me after the three of us on the panel answered with pretty standard answers.  I realized that we do a lot of gathering together by position type or leadership levels.  We have limited opportunities for young leaders to connect with the perceived leaders of the organization. Both are missing out. Organizational leaders miss out previewing new leaders, hearing new ideas, and learning to understand other generations.   Less experienced staff miss out on the opportunity to create a broader network, share ideas, find mentors, and grow. 

Some of my greatest learnings were from watching and learning from the experienced CEOs and leaders talk and debate issues in the small groups or over lunch - they were more candid with their peers without a microphone or stage, they liked to give an answer when asked, and their true personalities came out.  I remember making mental notes to do certain things and in some cases not to do some things (don’t wear something light colored with pasta served!).  This mixed group of leaders from across the area met monthly or at least bi-monthly.  Eventually, I was invited to be a part of a learning circle of 5 that met regularly to share ideas on a topic.  I was the least experienced at the time and felt privileged to be a part of the group.

Whether we rely too much on technology to network and connect, dismiss the connections in favor of efficiencies, or just plain forget the impact those before us had in our careers - we need mentors and cross generational relationships to happen.  It’s good for all of us.

Do you have venues to network and connect experienced leaders with frontline leaders? What will you do to ensure that those following you have the tools to be successful in the future?