The Importance of The Boss Buying Into Your Ideas

Posted On
12/01/2009

The Importance of The Boss Buying Into Your Ideas

I was reading a recent issue of Fast Company magazine that featured an article on Cisco CEO John Chambers and the success he’s had with that company. But in the middle of the article, a quote from Ron Ricci, VP of Cisco really stood out: “I think that culture is really a reflection of the CEO personality. Collaboration works, but only if it’s what the CEO believes.” Ron is right – over and over I’ve seen organizations with vibrant teams doing original work; but without a CEO, pastors, or other leader who buys into the ideas, it doesn’t go anywhere. I know of one major media ministry right now that has a
team of people wanting to do innovative work – but the Pastor is stuck in traditional thinking. The bottom line is that if you’re an employee, do everything you can to get the CEO to catch the vision – even if that means letting him or her think it’s their idea. Otherwise you’re simply hitting your head against a wall. And if you’re a CEO or other leader, then LEAD. Set the vision. Be the innovator. The personality of the CEO or leader is powerfully connected to the culture of the organization. Like it or not, that’s reality.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 1:47 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

David

“do everything you can to get the CEO to catch the vision – even if that means letting him or her think it’s their idea” – like that line from My Big Fat Greek Wedding… http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0259446/plotsummary  This has worked for me so many times that I could not care less whether the idea was from me or not, because the final outcome for everyone was so much more important than my ego.

After all, there is only one who deserves to get all the credit in the end…
Christopher Reyes

Great article. As a media assistant to an international ministry in Miami, I could relate to the ‘media ministry’ you mentioned that is wanting to elevate its status and become more innovative.

Thanks for your input Phil! I actually sent you an e-mail last week regarding the current state of my ministry and how you could help us through Cooke Pictures. Hopefully you were able to receive it. Thank you for what you do!

Best Regards & God Bless,

Christopher Reyes

Spring of Life International Ministries

http://www.solmiami.org
crosswordfilms

Phil,

This is so right on! You have a gift and encouraging healthy leadership and challenging insecure leaders. Too often I feel more among the latter.

Always remember, You Are loved! Warren

Phil Cooke

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