The Tale of Two Management Gruus by Linda Hatcher, editor of Leader Guide Magazine
One of our featured leadership experts this month, Robin Sharma, says he was uncomfortable being called a “guru” until someone told him that a man at a book signing in India told him what the word means in Sanskrit. ‘Gu’ means ‘darkness’ and ‘ru’ means ‘dispel.’ Sharma is becoming comfortable with the idea of being one who dispels the darkness. “I am just a guy working hard to make the best of his days; hoping in some way to make a difference in the lives of others,” he notes. We first featured an overview about five years ago of his thoughtful work in ethical, effective leadership. In the April edition of Leader Guide Magazine (CLICK HERE) we review his two latest books, The Guide to Greatness and The Guide to Greatness: Book 2. Sharma has an inside-out leadership development focus. By considering details about life - like maximizing “windows of opportunity;” “showing up fully at work’ and “giving the fullness of your brilliance.”
A different “guru,” Jerome Alexander, featured last month in an overview of his 160 Degrees of Deviation: The Case for the Corporate Cynic, answered numerous questions about his sometimes-controversial views about corporate dynamics. Alexander is the honest, appraising eye of business foibles; all of which provides a “what-not-to-do” perspective. He explains why he became the self-proclaimed corporate cynic:
“During my then thirty years in mid-level management at small, medium and large companies, I’d often felt that way myself. Whenever I thought that I’d seen it all, I was surprised again. But in spite of the fact that I remain the consummate corporate cynic, I have always given the company at least “20 degrees” for having good intentions. So while I myself might have not have done things 180 degrees differently, I certainly would have by 160. I vowed to identify and unmask those responsible for the 160 Degrees of deviation and help bring attention to the problem,” Alexander says. CLICK HERE.
As Sharma notes in his Guide to Greatness, reading a variety of ideas inspires “a torrent of ideas.” Two leadership gurus with tremendously powerful, and different, outlooks on the challenging path to becoming an ethical, effective leader, but with one thing in common: both provide practical ideas on a better journey.
LEADERSHIP ETC:
Defining Leadership : “Leadership really is about a healthy disregard for the impossible,” - Google co-founder Larry Page
Inspiring Leadership Quote: “There can be no success without failure. It’s just part of the process; you need to fail to win.” — Robin Sharma
Inspirational Action: If you are reading this letter at the office or at home, I want you to get out of your chair and go tell someone nearby that you really appreciate him or her for (cite something specific that you have recently noticed like a value demonstrated, a job well done or whatever). Do this in a sincere, appreciative manner and then return to reading your e-mails. I guarantee that you will be amazed by the reaction of the person that you just complimented.
