First Impressions

"As a leader, you're probably not doing a good job unless your employees can do a good impression of you when you're not around. " -Patrick Lencioni, author of several books including the newly published Silos, Politics, And Turf Wars on leadership: Silos, Politics, And Turf Wars on leadership.

First time I read this quote I smiled.

The second time i read this quote I winced.

The third time I read this quote I decided its one of the most ridiculous quotes I've read in a long time.

It's one of those statements that you would expect to hear from a motivational speaker who is trying to get your attention. The quote is provocative --it definitely conjures up very real images and memories.

But what in the world does it mean?And what behavior is it advocating ?

I must be missing something here because as I could through my list of leadership qualities, having my team doing impressions of me behind my back is not one that I would encourage.

I prefer to have them do their impressions of me to my face.That's funny and very helpful

It's a great way for employees to tell you what you're doing that's driving them crazy.If for the past month you've ended ever meeting with ..."The net-net is",.or you tend to tap your fingers on the table as if you were practicing piano scales,( yes these are both things that my team called me on, several times) it's nice to have employees know that they can have a little fun at their manager's expense-- and hopefully get some relief from the manager's most annoying habits.

I  found  that particular quote at 800-CEO-READ Blog -- companion to the 1-800 website which is in the business of selling books for and about business.

Their blog completely confounds me. I'm assuming its designed to get people to buy  their books but they have the oddest business posts I have ever since and not all linked to books. There's just these random posts advocating a business view that seems very counter culture and bizarre.

here's a sampling.

There's the post that says the real reason businesses should advertise is to motivate employees

"Advertising at its best should make employees proud to be....employees. If it doesn't it is doomed to failure."

Or this one on focus groups

"Focus Groups are a waste of time and money.

You either know your business or you don't. Products or services must be actually tried in the marketplace--not shown on storyboards for opinion from outsiders who do not live or breath your business. If you still insist on focus groups--use your own employees-that might actually be of some value."

Or this gem on graphic standards

"Think of every potential customer as 65 years old with poor eyesight.

Even if your market is teenagers this rule applies. The single biggest marketing mistake companies make is creating promotional materials that are too hard for the eye to comfortably read. Whatever your art director recommends--insist the body copy type size be doubled or tripled. Afterall, THE objective is to be read! And, no white reverse type--ever."

However, embedded in the post on focus groups I did find a quote that I agree with,

"If I had asked my customers what they wanted they would have said a faster horse."- Henry Ford