Lanny and students on Omaha Beach

This picture is of NC State professor, Dr. Lanny Hass, on Omaha Beach. Lanny and I collaborate on several leadership programs and Normandy is one of our favorites, of course.

While Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy, yields more leadership lessons than we could discuss in a week, let alone a day, you need not go to France to find something to talk about. Leaders Make New Leaders. In fact,that is what chapter 6 of No Yelling is all about. Click here to see more about that http://noyelling.net/make-new-leaders.html

The key thing is that you are looking for those teachable moments so you can use them to, umm, teach. From your daily interactions at work, to the history of the company, to the business press and front page of USA Today, to the history of your area there is plenty to choose from. If you are near a Civil War or Revoultionary War battlefield you can walk the ground and talk about the issues and actions of those involved. It doesn’t take much effort to extend that conversation to what you do at work. It does take some effort but it is worth it. Emloyees want to be engaged.

A recent study shows almost as many people call off sick because they are bored and don’t look forward to going to work as those who are actually sick. Think about it. They would rather be home than be bored. What environment are you creating? When you engage them in discussion about the business you are leading.  Give me a call if you want to talk more about how to do it. And if you want to go to Normandy, my passport is current!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 28th, 2012 at 3:54 pm and is filed under Leadership. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.