Vi·-sion | \ ˈVi-zhən

a: the act or power of imagination

b: (1): mode of seeing or conceiving

            (2): unusual discernment or foresight

There were three of us interviewing a candidate for the next Facilities Director. Along the way I asked the candidate about his vision and direction for the facilities department. Where did he desire to take his group of 300 facilities people if he got the job? He never missed a beat as he said, “Just to take a small bit out of the apple each day.” I asked him what he meant by that, giving him an opportunity to speak about his leadership style and the opportunity this job presented him. He fumbled on, “We just show up each day and do a little bit to make it better.” That was it, nothing else. I knew then he was not the right person to lead a major department. Excellence is much more caught than taught and with this candidate there was nothing to catch.

Truitt Cathy who started Chick-fil-A, looked for the 3 C’s in his owner-operators who ran his stores. Are they competent, do they have character and do they have chemistry with people. Most people are motivated to follow when they know where they are going. During this interview the candidate provided no direction for the facilities team. He could not imagine or envision what excellence acted like, looked like or explain why committing to a job for 30 years could be worth more than the retirement at the end. He did not discuss his plans to change the poor morale that plagued this department and yes even this industry. His entire interview was that of surviving the system, not reinventing the system, not encouraging the people and nothing about making the institution a great place to work. I would describe it as “Don’t rock the boat. Don’t make any waves.” Making a difference in the lives of his team and the organization required too much work and he couldn’t imagine doing that.

John Maxwell, an amazing motivational teacher says, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” I would simply add this, “Everything rises and falls on leadership at every level of the organization.” Whether I am a CEO or a Crew Chief on the ground my job is to set the expectation, give clear direction and create an environment where excellence is possible, expected, and desired. If I am looking at my wristwatch and shaking my head because I can’t wait to go home, I am giving my entire team permission to do the same. It is a negative mindset and negative mindsets are very contagious at every level.

The candidate was hired as Facilities Director because he was next in line. The department morale got even worse and the facilities people quit, but they did not leave their job. People could only talk about how much time they had until they retired. Who we place in leadership positions at every level truly matters. Just because the next person in line has the most experience on the team, does not mean they are the most qualified to be the next boss. Great leaders who are admired learn how to inspire, be forward-looking, are competent and are honest. They have vision.

Keep cultivating your passion for what you do!

Jeff