THIS IS NOT MY POST! THIS POST BELONGS TO DAN HARKAVY, CEO OF BUILDING CHAMPIONS.
My Boss, Stacey Harding, sent this to me in text format as he sent it to every member our our company. Dan, the CEO and founder of Building Champions (the best coaching company in North America), wrote this awesome post on the value of your name.
By the way...check out www.buildingchampions.com and www.buildingchampionsexperience.com. Also, you can skip this re-post and check out Dan's blog directly at http://www.danielharkavy.com/2011/06/a-good-name/
THE POST:
I just had breakfast with one of my clients, the CEO of a global technology firm. For the past few years we have been working on two primary objectives: the further development of his leadership team, and his preparation for the next chapter of his professional life, as he will soon be retiring.
I am never sure who benefits more in my coaching relationships: the client, or me. I have been so fortunate to have coached some of the most amazing people. I am continually growing and learning from them as I coach them. I love what I get to do!
Something that my client said this morning really struck me. He told me that all he has ever wanted as a leader was to be known as a guy who did what he said he would do. As a matter of fact, he said this became really clear for him as he wrote his epitaph when creating his first Life Plan with me a few years back.
He is moving closer to leaving the corporate world to pursue more of his personal interests. He plans to draw from his many successful years as a leader to mentor, advise, and coach up-and-coming leaders. He did not say he wanted to be known as the most strategic leader, the best team builder, or the most internationally savvy leader.
What he said was most important was that he was known for being a man of character, having a good name.
A few months back, I had the good fortune of attending the 90th birthday party for Chick-Fil-A founder, Truett Cathy. When he took the stage and addressed all of us who have been positively impacted by him over the years, he said what matter most to him was that he was a leader of character. He shared that he has one verse from the Hebrew Scriptures that he has used as a guide post for his life. It is Proverbs 22:1, and it reads as follows: "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."
These are two amazing leaders with completely different world views, running two very different and yet similar companies - similar in that they both have fantastic culture and tenure with their colleagues. And these leaders both have the same life anchor - they live to be leaders with a good name.
The lesson? Self leadership always precedes team leadership. And truly amazing leadership stems from men and women who have a deep conviction to be known as people with a good name.
How is your name?
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