One of the topics I talk about in my workshop on Tribal Leadership: Because Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast is core values. Professor Warren Bennis says that leadership is born in crucible moments. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, leaders are showing up.
Vistage members Michael and Sheril Feldman run a family-owned business, David Feldman Worldwide, that provides court reporting services. For the past several years, they have been working on creating a culture that is based on their #1 core value, Create a Caring Family Culture.
Michael shared “This crisis has been an AMAZING opportunity to see DFW’s # 1 core value, Create a Caring Family Culture, in action. I am very proud of the below quotes, all of which came this week as all DFW’ers have been in constant communication with each other and incredibly supportive, and you should be proud as well for helping me understand the importance and power in having clarity of our values. Thank you.”
“I have to say, the culture we have at DFW really gives me this desire to come through for the company, and it makes me happy to know that because I have internet and power, I can make even a small difference in the productivity of the company.”
-Daniel
“It is very apparent that you, Sheril and your dad have succeeded in creating a wonderful, warm and caring DFW family! A job very well done Mike. 🙂”
-Shandy
It is in times like this that leaders have the opportunity to show up and demonstrate what they are committed to.
Michael was in Staten Island on Saturday and The Rockaways on Sunday to help out with the relief efforts. Today, he is bringing several employees from his company to volunteer. This is when actions speak louder than words.
“Recent research has led us to conclude that one of the most reliable indicators and predictors of true leadership is an individual’s ability to find meaning in negative events and to learn from even the most trying circumstances. Put another way, the skills required to conquer adversity and emerge stronger and more committed than ever are the same ones that make for extraordinary leaders.”
–Warren Bennis & Robert Thomas (Harvard Business Review 2002)
