PN_27

Printing_News_February_2017

Johnson’s World LEADERSHIP Off, and On, the Field Several years ago, a local community college announced the elimination of its graphic-arts program. I felt the program was worth saving, however, so I, along with a couple who own a local quick-printing franchise, met with the college president to discuss the matter. As it turned out, what ensued was no discussion at all. Th e president, surrounded by his entourage, proceeded to lecture us. Th ere was no give and take, no listening, no interest in the opinions of others – even though he was meeting with experts in the fi eld, including one (me) who sat on the college’s subject-matter advisory board. While the head honcho was pontifi cating, his cabinet alternated between hanging on their chief’s every word and scowling at us, loudly sighing while we strived to have our say. It was clear that they were appalled that we dared question the president’s judgement and motives. We needn’t have felt singled out by the college president’s rudeness. Over the next few years, as reported by local and state media, he off ended many with his high-handed actions and contempt for rules and regulations, coupled with apparent poor judgment (to put it politely) in the use of public funds. Th ese foolish actions led to public outcry and the dismissal of the president. A new president with impeccable credentials was brought in to restore public confi dence. Mirroring leadership style Th is was how I found myself, along with the quick-print owner from the aforementioned meeting and a bevy of other civic leaders, sitting down to a lunch gathering where we were to be introduced to the new college president. I noticed one fellow standing alone and looking a bit lost. He seemed vaguely familiar, yet I couldn’t place him. I invited him to join our table. “Th ank you, Mr. Johnson, sir,” he replied, seeming relieved to have a place to sit. “Th e last time we met was when our previous president was still in charge.” Ah ha, now it came back – this was one of the lieutenants in the former regime, but oh how his attitude had changed. Th e diff erence? Leadership. His previous boss had been arrogant, so he had been arrogant. His old boss had been insular, fi lling meeting rooms with sycophants; there was no room for press, critics, or the public. His new boss, however, had instructed her staff to mix with their constituency. His new boss had a career military background, hence the “sir.” His 180-degree change in attitude mirrored his new president’s style. Next to parenting, leadership is the most infl uential role you’ll ever have. As in parenting, “Do as I say, not as I do” won’t ever cut it. Advice from the diamond As I write this, baseball’s spring training is just around the corner, and the Vegas oddsmakers are betting strongly on a repeat Cubs championship. How did “the doormat of the National League” (Steve Goodman’s words, not mine) climb to world champion? Leadership. When the Ricketts family bought the Cubs in 2009, they made clear their objective: victory on the fi eld. Th is diff ered from the previous owners, who paid lip service to winning while focusing primarily on profi tability. Th e Ricketts put their money where their mouths were by bringing in miracle worker Th eo Epstein and giving him even broader powers than he had wielded in Boston, where he had engineered that club’s championship. Epstein, in turn, reassembled his successful Boston leadership and then went to work building a new club that was truly a team (not just a collection of players). Th e fi nal piece of the puzzle: hiring Joe Maddon to lead and inspire the team’s newly acquired talent. “Hire good people, who hire good people, and let them do their job,” advises Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts. Th at’s leadership – whether you’re on the fi eld or off it. By Steve Johnson President, Copresco Find this article at PrintingNews.com/12293354 February 2 PrintingNews®com 017 ® Printing News 27


Printing_News_February_2017
To see the actual publication please follow the link above