How Would You Define Leadership??

Horst Schulze, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel's former longtime President and Chief Operating Officer said....

"Leadership is creating an environment in which people want to be part of the organization and not just work for the organization. Leadership creates an enviroment that makes people want to, rather than have to, do. It is a business imperative to creat that environment. I must give purpose, not just work and function. As a businessperson, I am obligated to create an environment where people feel part of something, feel fulfilled, and have purpose. It is purpose - it is value in their lives - that leads people to truly give of their minds. Then you are getting the maximum from them, and are giving the maximum to the person. Anything less is irresponsible to the organization and demands more handling by the individual."

"When you see people only as fulfilling a function, you're treating them like a thing, like the chair you're sitting on. I don't think we as humans can assume the right to do that. None of us want to be just something standing in a corner. We found the greatest satisfaction for an employee is to feel part of something and to feel trusted to make decisions and to contribute."

"Everyone is a knowledge worker in their specific area, and undoubtedly the dishwasher has more knowledge about their situation than I have. So that dishwasher can contribute to the improved environment, work conditions, productivity, lack of dish breaking, etc. They can contribute their knowledge in their area tremendously."

"I had a young man from Nairobi who joined me as a dishwasher in the hotel about sixteen years ago. He couldn't speak proper English, but he was a very hardworking young man. After a while, they offered him a job in room service, then as a room service leader, then a lobby attendant, then a bartender, then he became an assistant lobby manager; he's now the food and beverage director. He's the number-two man in the hotel, and started as a dishwasher."

(Source: The 8th Habit From Effective to Greatness, Page 217 & 218)