Chiefs are powerful, but in my view not for the reasons most believe. Real Chiefs don’t owe their influence to a title or a position given to them by others. Rather they earn their influence by the internal choices they make to connect what they do to who they are. I learned about real Chiefs from a mild-mannered, kind, hard-working introvert—my Dad.
Dad taught many lessons that helped me both personally and professionally. Three stand out:
- Treat everyone with respect.
- Results come when relationships come first.
- Focusing on people is the key to sustainable growth.
Dad also taught me how to think about power in an unconventional way. As a trained human resource professional, he knew groups that succeeded understood four truths about how to harness team power and unlock team potential:
- People with titles have power (authority)
- People with and without titles have a different type of power (influence & energy)
- Everyone is at their best when they feel powerful
- Everyone is different and makes their own choices about exercising power
As I reflect back on the celebration of Father’s Day, gratitude is the word that comes to mind. And while I have been blessed to know, and learn from, many great Chiefs, Dad was the first.
Thanks Dad.