When you’re a CEO in love with your company, when would a dose of disrespect be good for you?
As I facilitate discussions on company vision, I run into what I call “love my company” executives. The conversation usually goes something like this:
Question: What is your two year vision for your company?
Answer: To be the best (fill in blank) in the (fill in geographic area).
Question: What would you need to change to get there?
Answer: We’re already there. We are the best and we know it!
Or it may go like this…
Question: You say you want to grow, why do you think you’re not growing?
Answer: It’s the sales people’s fault.
Question: Is there anything to change from a branding, marketing or product perspective to make their jobs easier?
Answer: Look, I’ve been doing this for 25 years. The offerings make money and they work. Sales has to sell.
In a world of constant change, what does it mean for your company when you say, “we are there, we’ve arrived, we are done”? What are the implications of being the stone that the river flows over and around?
I’ve got some “disrespectful” news for you…the coffee in the breakroom is stale and burnt. The carpet in reception is so ‘90’s. Your employees are not motivated or excited. There’s a simple word for this. It isn’t love –it’s complacency.
What does complacency tell your customers, employees, partners, vendors and investors? That they are simple, static, and easily-played. While love is a great feeling, maybe it’s time to be a little less in love. One of the most difficult roles for a leader is to convince a successful company that they must change to maintain relevancy…that change determines success.
Our message is that it’s easier to lead positive change… maintain the core of what you love, grow your audience and their appreciation…than to defend a position of presumed superiority. If you really love your company, develop some healthy disrespect for the current state of affairs.