There are at least two habits in my life that I just cannot kick. One is buying good books and putting them in my growing stack of things that I intend to read when I find the time. The other is attending every possible Kellogg Graduate School of Management event that I can find time for on my calendar. My Kellogg habit is intense: I am a graduate of their year-long Kellogg Management Institute (KMI 2000) and an Executive Scholar candidate with programs in Sales and Leadership under my belt. I also attend several updates and conferences per year if time permits.
Today I attended the annual Kellogg Leadership Conference–an event developed and managed by Kellogg MBA students and featuring some outstanding executive and academic presenters and panels. As always, I drove home tired from sitting most of the day, well-fed from the incredible Kellogg cuisine and my brain and note-pad bursting with ideas and thoughts on all things leadership.
The day kicked off with Kent Thiry, the dynamic Chairman and CEO of DaVita, a Fortune 500 provider of integrated dialysis services. (Do an internet search on Kent and you will understand why I’m not the only one impressed with him.) In addition to some anecdotes on his own career failures and successes and some great context on the turn-around and growth of DaVita, Kent outlined his perspectives on effective leaders and leadership. They were presented in the backdrop of advice to the MBA students that a fulfilled leader is a more effective leader. While they lose some of their impact without Kent presenting, the suggestions were genuine and compelling. I paraphrase:
- Effective leaders begin with the end in mind.
- Emerging leaders should maximize growth–not the speed of advancement.
- Management is a business skill–leadership is a human skill.
- Leadership is in the eyes of the led.
- Leadership is not about what you do–it’s about who you are
- Effective leaders make their commitment public, are not afraid to show their flaws/mistakes and hold themselves and expect everyone else to hold them accountable.
- To be an effective leader, pursue your passion.
- Speak your dream for your business–make a public commitment.
- Honor with care (reward for living up to values…not just business results
- Don’t whine when things get tough–you signed up for the job.
- One cannot pour from an empty cup–refresh and recharge yourself.
- True belief and alignment with the mission is required for success.
- Persevere–it takes time and hard work to build a culture
And last, but not least, he cited what he described as an old Native American aphorism: "Most people go to their graves with their music still inside them." He implored the audience members to not let that happen. I concur.
Next: Professor Harry Kraemer Jr (the former Chairman and CEO of Baxter Int’l) offers his Six Steps to Value Based Leadership.