Like Father, Like Son...Like Leader, Like Follower

Years ago I remember watching a PSA anti-smoking commercial on my parent's black and white television. In this commercial, a man and his young son were spending time together. When the dad would pick up a rock and throw it, the son would do likewise, pick up his own rock and try throw it.

Just like dad.

The dad would be painting, therefore, the son imitated him.

Just like dad.

In the car, the dad was driving and the son had his little steering wheel pretending he was in control.

Just like dad.

The final scene shows the dad sitting under a tree to smoke a cigarette. After lighting his cigarette, he placed the pack of cigarettes down beside him. The son picks up the pack and looks at it. Just like, yep, you guessed it...dad. The announcer ends the commercial with this comment...think about it.

Pretty impactful, wouldn't you agree?.

If you know me you know one of my core beliefs is that no group, family, company, church, or organization will rise above the success or constraints of its leadership. Therefore, I also believe examples of strengths as well as constraints will be evident to all whether you like it or not.

In my 30+ years of experience as a therapist, consultant and executive coach, part of my responsibility is to observe, make a diagnosis of possible difficulties and then come up with a diagnosis or solution. If given enough time, I can make a decent observation, a realistic diagnosis and even a relatively good prognosis. But that's where the work begins with each company, church or organization.

From that moment on, how successful I am depends on each person I work with. It starts with defining success in behavioral terms (just like dad). It also calls upon each person to eliminate constraints to success as well (just like dad). The goal for seeking improvement in performance is doing just as good a job in defining success as eliminating constraints.

Have you defined success as a company, leader, husband, wife, father, mother? Do you know your personal constraints? Remember, just like dad. Also remember, just like leader.

To find out, ask yourself these questions: