Dr. Earl R. Smith II

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
www.Dr-Smith.com

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You might think that self-interest would be the principal drive in the efforts directed towards self-improvement. This should seem particularly self-evident when the individual under consideration is a senior executive who has regular contact with the very senior levels of the company – the board of directors – the advisory board – decision makers within the company’s client base. But often nothing is further from the case. There are some forms of leadership – leadership styles – that seem to tend towards these behaviors. Something in the history of these individuals and in their leadership development that occasionally overrides self-interest and the interests of the company in favor of gratuitous damage to both. In my efforts at coaching these people, I have come to see that the underlying causes reside more in the realm of spirituality than reason and the life coaching rather than executive coaching is most often called for.

A fellow I met was explaining to me that he was always late because it kept the people who were waiting for him in their place – and besides, his time was far more valuable than theirs – and he was, after all, worth it. I asked him if he thought that he was insulting those people and he replied “not at all – the little people are lucky to meet with me at all – besides, even if I am, so what?”

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When I asked a number of people about how they respond to this type of treatment, I got a very interesting range of direct and passionate answers. Here area a few:

“After cordially greeting him, thanking him for his presence, and offering him visible seating, I’d tell him, in an intentionally LOUD voice, “You’re LATE!” If that doesn’t get through to him, nothing ever will. No one is irreplaceable and arrogance abounds.”

“Realize that this guy pays for his hubris with a premium on any deals he does. There is no getting around the asshole tax. Trust me – anyone who does in fact deal with this guy, or anyone who works for him, probably demands a premium for the effort. Just like companies that treat their people poorly often pay through the nose in salary, turnover costs, or poor customer service because of lack of an engaged workforce, individuals who do this to their people hurt their companies. Not being an asshole is a source of competitive advantage”

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“I truly believe that what goes around comes around. Good working relationships are constructive, productive, and robust, and are shaped by respectful and trust worthy which also lead to loyalty. This fellow has none of these with anyone he practices this with. Abandonment is really his biggest problem. Sadly, in his world, he’ll see it as everyone else’s loss.”

Over the years I have collected hundreds of comments much like those above and I continue to wonder why people gratuitously sabotage their own interests in this manner.

© Dr. Earl R. Smith II

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Related Articles:

• Networking to no apparent purpose

• Do you believe it?

• At what point in corporate growth should the Board of Directors assume the power to remove a member of senior management for poor performance?

• How did you get into the profession you are in?

• How did you stop?

• When do you report self-sabotaging behavior?

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Dr. Smith is a proven senior executive, successful entrepreneur, published author and public speaker. He serves on boards of directors and advisory boards or as a strategic adviser to CEOs. Dr. Smith specializes in turnaround management, strategic planning, leadership development and executive coaching. He also works as an executive and/or life coach in the areas of personal growth and spirituality. He is the author of Amazing Pace: Turbo-charged Business Development – a book that shows how Advisory Boards can dramatically increase revenue. Dr. Smith is also the author of Dream Walk: Parables for the Living – a book of Raven Tales and exploration.

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