As many of you know, on 9/13/07, Phil Frank, the cartoonist who drew these Thought~Byte pictures, passed on. He will be missed by all who knew him and enjoyed his 30 plus years of cartoon strips such as Farley and The Elderberries.
For those who haven't read these: An article I wrote saying Goodbye to Phil A Life I'd Jump at
I can't even make a joke about this. I've known so many baaaaad managers who simply won't give up their power (generally knowledge, and usually specifically the things their underlings NEED to know to do their jobs)... and no one wins. Grrrr.
Even if the sign on yourdesk says "The Buck Stops Here" you're still more productive if you share the power. Sharing credit (as in accolades) goes a long ways too.
So so true! As a minister I found I would not pursue a project if it were all mine. The more people who share the power the more they invest in the project and are happier!
That may be the surest way. Another way is to get yourself elected. If that happens, then you don't have to share nuttin.
Atlantis -- At the risk of pre-empting John -- I think you can be pure and powerful at the same time. I also think you can be a scum bag without power. I think I see one of those out there now.
John, I'm here representing both parties. I'm afraid we are going to have to disappear you, I mean we cordially invite you to join Vice President Cheney for a secluded retreat in an undisclosed location. Shoot, I mean picturesque locale that is so splendid in its beauty that we don't want to spoil the surprise.
Mike, I heard the other day that Sarah Palin will be a better Vice President than Cheney because she can shoot better and she can tell the difference between a moose and an old lawyer.
You must have read Dr. Cloud's "One-Life Solution," John Philipp because in the ultimate evaluation of his book it is the sharing of power that nets more validation and reality in our lives. I am unfortunately one of those people who wants to have a hand in everything I am doing and everything others are doing for me - I panic sometimes when I wonder if people assisting me really listened to what I wanted and deadlines and I get all stressed but in the end I have to admit they know what to do and what they are doing so I can stop the panic. Took me 50 years to learn that however so I am still a s-l-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-w learner.
Here's a salute to sharing the power - did everyone salute? did they understand? oh, well, I guess I'll find out later...
Isn't that the truth! Good leaders with power know how to share that power. By doing this, they can command the respect and loyalty of those around them.
I need to think about this one. My first thought is that the best managers invite, encourage and reward contributions from employees. To share the power lightens the burden on the top person and promotes growth and sharing for everyone. The more people contribuiting to a project, the better the chance of success.
A friend of mine is coaching Pop Warner football. The quarterback is under so much pressure, because TV announcers constantly harp that the quarterback is THE leader, and the whole team takes its cue from him. They are so wrong. A true leader listens to those around him/her, then decides based on the information they provide. Anyone else is a dictator, and a very lonely person. I encouraged him to let the young man know that he will learn more, and be a better quarterback, by taking cues from his teammates. He'll also have more fun. He got the message, but I'm passing on this Thought Byte as well. Very timely.
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Comments: 105
For those who haven't read these:
An article I wrote saying Goodbye to Phil
A Life I'd Jump at
And the final The San Francisco Chronicle article (Tuesday 1/1/08) about their long time cartoonist.
Bidding final farewell to cartoonist Phil Frank
The difference between the power over and the power i>to.
Sue, it does seem counterintuitive and there aren't a whole lot of role models growing up to learn this from.
It's a tricky concept, Linda and you have to mean it. If you use it as a trick it will backfire on you.
May the day get only better.
Atlantis -- At the risk of pre-empting John -- I think you can be pure and powerful at the same time. I also think you can be a scum bag without power. I think I see one of those out there now.
I know what you mean , i see the same scum bag from where i'm looking :)
I guess the answer to that question, Atlantis, is pure what?
Sort of the whole is more powerful than the sum of the parts.
In that case, what do they really have of value?
Oil money in swiss or cayman island bank accounts
You're right but somehow I doubt if either party will pay attention to this Byte..
Greg, what an excellent point.
Thanks.
We're all human, LaRue. Does that count?
I shall try to do his namesake honor.
Here's a salute to sharing the power - did everyone salute? did they understand? oh, well, I guess I'll find out later...
Whatta gal.
Managers who don't share power are often afraid if they delegate there will be nothing for them to do.
By the way, this also applies in spades to raising kids though I don't think anyone has mentioned that yet.
Mike, you're spending too much time on mosquito patrol
There is also the internal aspect of this Byte: By sharing power you learn that you don't need it.
Very freeing to the spirit.
Power is in the eye of the beholder.
Thanks.
Sorry to hear about the passing of the artist.
Thanks. Phil's passing was a loss to the whole community.
by God to recycle fools some where on
other plane quick 'n' as we have gone
wise to miss him is not a lie !!!
We have an abundance of fools. What we need is a way to export them.
Thanks.