I just read something on my friend Eileen McDargh’s blog  about the Whole Foods Market CEO, John Mackey. It seems Mackey is donating all his stock options to two company foundations and working for only $1/year. This is an extraordinary example of leadership and service. As I was reading this, it reminded me of one of the most incredible leaders I have ever met - Richard Davis, the current CEO of US Bank. I met Richard before addressing 500 US Bank employees at their annual company meeting. Among the powerful points he told his managers that I would address later that day were:

Smash the Water Cooler
Bungee Jump
Get a Life!

OK that was MY interpretation. One of his first comments was “I need your help”. To the 400 or so gathered, he asked them to stop the rumors that were be discussed by the water cooler. It seems that some were saying that this #6 company in industry would be merged with or taken over by one of the 5 competitors that were bigger. It had even been inaccurately reported in the press…(imagine that?) One by one, he took each of these competitors and gave a most convincing argument as to why there wouldn’t be a merger or acquisition. His points were solid, his research was well documented, he did his homework AND I believe, he won his case. Why did he do this? He told his team, “I want your focus to be on improving on a fantastic year. I want you to do this without having to look over your shoulder and worry if you’ll have a job or not (I kind of wanted to make sure I’d have one too!)

So let’s get to work and while you at it, help me stop the unproductive gossip with those who report to you.”

WOW what a positive and powerful way to tell people to stop gossiping!

He next asked them to Bungee Jump off a 1000-foot bridge in Australia wearing a red wig and a clown suit …well that was my interpretation of his message on taking risk. He talked about their products were really commodities in their market and how once an innovation was introduced, their competitors were quick to emulate. He acknowledged the specific innovations that those in the audience had developed and praised the work of several people. He urged them for this to continue. He said “execution is almost as important as innovation and some of you will be executed if you don’t innovate”…well not really, BUT he did implore them to continue to think innovatively  and even told them NOT to come back from the morning break if they weren’t prepared to put it all on the table and take risks…calculated risks. In front this audience, he asked one of his EVP’s if he had ever said no when this EVP asked him for anything for which he had asked. Randy’s reply…not once.

He concluded with this “Get a life!” He shared how he had attended 14 of 17 basketball games of his teenage daughter (where he “quietly” coached from the stands). He spoke of shopping with his wife and daughter at the mall, and about how supportive the company was of charity and community organizations. He said that he felt like he was a better leader because he turned it off when it was time to turn it off. Somehow I suspect that when he is working, he REALLY turns it on!

I must confess I wondered how a man in charge of such a large company could really do this. Could he turn it off? He had to work Saturday’s at LEAST to check his email…so I sent him one early on a Saturday morning… He responded…on Monday morning at 8:13 am!

I learned a lot more from this man for whom I would love to be mentored. I hope you have learned something too. Here’s the Tim Take on all of this

1) When you hear people in unproductive talk, stifle it…in a positive way. If you can’t convincingly dispel the unproductive talk, ask lots of questions of those for whom you trust who can. Don’t let the Wally and Wanda Whiners destroy morale of others.

2) Take more risk… If you are not falling flat on your face, you’re probably too comfortable. Develop a new idea or an innovative approach. Bounce it past a coworker for whom you trust. Share it with a colleague or friend OUTSIDE your work world, and maybe most powerful of all … get input from someone with a very divergent viewpoint. When they are telling you what you DON’T want to hear…shut up…and listen … intently. Consider their feedback… all of it. Sleep on your idea and then ACT on it.

3) Live your life with a focus on what you value. When at the office, it’s hammer time. When you’re home, it’s homer time (and I don’t mean Homer Simpson). I am not sure if attaining perfect balance is possible but I know this “When values are clear, decision making is easy.”
You or I may never be a president of a company of the magnitude of my new friend Richard Davis. BUT we certainly can smash the heck out of the water cooler, bungee jump in a clown suit, AND most importantly, GET A LIFE…a rich one at that!

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund. For more information on Tim, go to www.TimRichardson.com