The essence of competitiveness is liberated when we make people believe that what they think and do is important - and then get out of their way while they do it.
Interpretation
Competitiveness thrives when individuals feel valued and empowered to act on their ideas.
Jack Welch emphasizes the importance of fostering a sense of significance among team members. By affirming that their thoughts and actions matter, leaders can enhance competitiveness and innovation. Ultimately, effective leadership involves stepping back and allowing individuals the freedom to pursue their initiatives, which can lead to greater overall success for the organization.
In practice
In a team meeting, a manager can share this quote to encourage open dialogue and innovation.
You've got to eat while you dream. You've got to deliver on short-range commitments, while you develop a long-range strategy and vision and implement it. The success of doing both. Walking and chewing gum if you will. Getting it done in the short-range, and delivering a long-range plan, and executing on that.
I wanted to change the rules of engagement, asking for more- from fewer. I was insisting that we had to have only the best people...If you wanted excellence, at a minimum, the ambience had to reflect excellence.
A leader's role is not to control people or stay on top of things, but rather to guide, energize and excite.
Control your own destiny or someone else will.
The idea flow from the human spirit is absolutely unlimited. All you have to do is tap into that well. I don't like to use the word efficiency. It's creativity. It's a belief that every person counts.
An overburdened, overstretched executive is the best executive, because he or she doesn't have the time to meddle, to deal in trivia, to bother people.
You’ve got to give great tools to small teams. Pick good people, use small teams and give them great tools so that they are very productive in terms of what they are doing.
It is the responsibility of leadership and management to give opportunities and put demands on people which enable them to grow as human beings in their work environment.
It's easier to run for office than to run the office.
No way can you ever, ever, ever evidence confusion, concern, lack of understanding. You have to be in charge. You are the guy. You have to be cooler than cool, smarter than smart.
I'm looking for players who make their teammates better. You do that with enthusiasm and passion.
Our leaders must hear us speaking on behalf of our brothers and sisters in South Sudan. If the moral duty to save lives and work toward peace is not compelling enough to drive decision-makers, we must remind them that we care and will hold them accountable.
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