Probably the most important key to effective leadership (in my somewhat ridiculous world of entertainment and publishing) is looking up from the daily mess of creation to see the big picture and recognize the need for renovation–for a new solution to a problem that is lingering and not getting solved. In our world right now at Writers of the Round Table, we have been struggling with the distribution of our books. As I have mentioned in other postings, we have spent years (a decade myself) learning to develop exceptional products. I am not an expert in the distribution of those products. My team is amazing, mind you, and we have unbelievable expertise in creating the brand and all of the support for the distribution machine. What we do not have is the distribution network in place. It just has not been a priority until now. So instead of continuing to function from the standpoint that our branding will be enough, I have finally started to wake up to the reality that is in front of my eyes. I need a powerhouse distributor. Whether that be a hungry individual who will spearhead researching and building this aspect of our business, or a partnership with an already effective company such as Consortium Book Sales and Distribution (who we are seriously looking into), is yet to be determined. What is most important is that we have recognized the need for change and are in the process of immersing ourselves in information so that we can make an educated decision and then proceed aggressively (something we LOVE to do). This is my job as the head of the company. While my staff is building their own divisions and working to make those aspects of our business as effective as possible, I have the responsibility to look at the whole and point us in that new direction.

Leader to Leader, I encourage you to look up from the work as often as possible and listen to the conversation that is being had beneath the surface, so you can find solutions to problems you are yet aware of. For me the problem makes itself apparent in my emotional landscape (I get crabby!–ask my wife!). Think of how ineffective systems within your company or organization effect you, and then maintain a sense of awareness, so that you can see those reactions rising in you–effectively warning you of the need for contemplation and eventual change and growth. Don’t avoid the work in these times. Instead–read other books, have conversations with those around you. Take a walk and ruminate. Clarity will come from the silence and space you give yourself to find it.

As of this morning, I have to eat my words regarding morning news.  Great interview this morning with Scott McClellan. Fascinating dialogue on controlling the narrative of a situation.  McClellan points out that in Washington, everyone is fighting to spin the narrative in a way that brings them the most attention and the most support.  That it is not about content, it’s about spin. This is something I have been immersed in myself and a deep question that I have been digging towards the answer for.  We are a content company.  We focus not on how to sell it, but how to create something truly worth embracing. Our competition is out there mastering the art of the spin and selling empty experiences, decent experiences and occasionally exceptional experiences.  What is more important?  If you over focus on content, you create masterpiece work that no one cares about.  If you over focus on delivery and spin, you get a brilliant response and the public buys into the idea, regardless of the quality of the content.  It reminds me of a great line from Michael J. Fox in The American President: “People want leadership, Mr. President, and in the absence of genuine leadership, they’ll listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone. They want leadership. They’re so thirsty for it they’ll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there’s no water, they’ll drink the sand.” So here we stand with delicious life giving water, but the guy next door is selling buckets full of sand by the dozens. Where is the balance?  We need to find the balance.  In life, in politics, in entertainment.  McClellan’s point is that the American people need to learn balance before the next election. Not a bad idea.

The answer: RADICAL INNOVATION!

Radical innovation is going to be a critical component in a leader’s toolkit in the future, and this does not mean that you “try innovation” over a week-end brainstorming retreat. It happens by disrupting the current environment, challenging old assumptions and even turning the culture upside down so that you can move ahead and start being highly competitive.

Each day I meet leaders, and the first question I ask is “On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being super sticky, how stuck are you?” Most people laugh, and they usually respond by saying “I’m a 20 or a 25!” So, when you are stuck, you have to break up the pattern…turn a table upside down and figure out a way to still use the table as an eating surface, roll out of the bed on the other side, shave with the hand you don’t normally use…do something to be disruptive. This is the same for companies…what would happen if you do the opposite of what you’ve always done? What would you do if you totally destroyed your most profitable item and had to start from scratch? Or, how would an artist, physician or scientist suggest that you change your company?

To keep your company relevant, a culture must foster a sense of psychological safety for employees to not only feel comfortable but be encouraged to challenge the status quo and bring fresh, radical ideas to the table and feel safe that they are not going to be criticized or made to feel silly in the process. Everyone in the company needs to be brought up to speed on the vision and direction of the company, and the leader needs to make a statement that the game is now on…everyone is going to be challenged to think radically, innovate, think strategically and that a part of this is to be open to divergent thinking and to allow open debate to get to the root of the issue. You have to be willing to get very uncomfortable…to laugh nervously and feel the sweat bead up on your brow.

Staying ahead will also call leaders to design an environment that includes a diversity of people…a mix of cultures, ages, ethnicities and religions can bring new, more creative ideas to the table. It will also be very important to add a Chief Knowledge Officer to your staff…someone who has their finger on the pulse of what is going on in the world and how your company fits in and how competitive you are to people who are thousands of miles around the world from you.

Tomorrow is already here. Are you relevant, or are you becoming obsolete? Only you can answer that question!

Is it me, or are all the morning news shows completely devoid of any leadership whatsoever?  Ever since Katie Couric left the Today Show, morning news has fallen to pieces. If there is no political candidate to gossip about, or school shooting to investigate, the morning news is being relegated to cats playing with yo-yos.  With the internet being so prevalent, segment producers appear to just be sitting in their offices just waiting for the latest news to appear in their in-boxes, as opposed to getting out into their communities and finding what is worthy of investigating. When did news become a reporting of the latest and most interesting piece of crap (like this R. Kelly case that has been in the news for NINE YEARS. He had sex with a 14 year old people. Convict him and move on.)? There are real people making a difference in the world everyday. People creating solutions to problems and pain that could nurture and heal the world. Why is the media not paying attention?  And what is the result?  Millions of people suffering because they are not aware of the solutions to their problem, or that anyone is even having the conversation about their needs.  I’m just disgusted this morning.  If I liked plain toast for breakfast every day of my life, the morning news programs would be a wonderful side dish.  Wake up morning producers and go out into the world and find the stories worth reporting on. Stop waiting for people to tell you what to report on and go out into the world and find the news. Being a Leader means taking risks and doing what is right for the benefit of the world.  Oh wait.  the Today Show just started.  There’s a plumbing problem on the space station.  I simply must run off to hear all about it. And even better, a new book is out by Scott McClellan telling us that the Bush White House and Washington are broken.  BECAUSE WE DIDN’T KNOW.  Nothing like reporting the obvious.

Ask for what you want.

My favorite lessons are always the ones I learn from my wife. And this one is one of the most important lessons I have learned in relation to my marriage and Writers of the Round Table (yes — the parallels are many ).

When it comes to communication, he who opens his mouth about his needs gets them fulfilled. Similarly in business, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

For some reason, as a leader, I have always felt that I needed to earn things the hard way. That I needed to do things in such a large way that the world would take notice and then rain its riches upon me. I tend to be stubborn in this regard often. But that approach is not working for my company, nor is it working for my clients (and it certainly doesn’t work in my marriage!).

When we have a need, the greatest thing we can do is to put it out there. Asking for help is often not something a leader likes to do, but who can come to your aid if you’re unwilling to let them know of your desires?

So today, I want to put it out there that I am looking for assistance in getting our books into bookstores. In the past it has not been a priority, because we were focusing so heavily on development, but we have a couple of books, Edge and China Girl, and From the Barrio to the Board Room, that I believe would sell incredibly well off the shelf. So if anyone out there reading this has relationships with bookstore managers, owners, or corporate offices, we are looking for champions to introduce our books to the public. That being said, if anyone out there lives near a bookstore and is willing to walk our books into the store and convince them to carry them, we could launch a grass roots campaign that way as well. Outside the box thinking is welcome, and I thank you in advance for considering this request.

My own needs aside, if you are a leader of your own business or other organization, I challenge you to ask yourself if there might be an area in your world that could be made a bit brighter with the posing of a simple request for help. A little asking can go a long way.