Billy Florence: Leadership Strategy: Lesson of the Bucket
by Billy Florence
Have you identified your "bucket brigade?”
The bucket brigade concept addresses the importance of a developing the art of a planned “leadership leak.” And it was once explained to me by my friend, John Maxwell.
The longer an organization has gone without major change, the harder it is for them to make changes. It is like working out at the gym. Without regular exercise, the change muscles aren’t fit, strong, and ready to respond positively.
Change no longer resides the individuals’ muscle memory. Change is not just like “riding a bike" for them because they can’t remember what the good result after having experienced ‘change pain’ felt like.
Leaking leadership to your organization’s key influences before a major meeting to discuss change, might help the process begin.
John teaches that all leaders walk around all the times with a bucket in each hand. One contains water and the other contains gasoline. When ever there is a ‘little fire’ of contention in the organization – – the key influencers are usually the first to hear about it.
Option One: GAS - Arrive at the scene of small sparks and choose the bucket of gasoline. Apply directly and the results will be a major fire.
Option Two: WATER - Arrive at the scene of small sparks and choose the bucket of water. Apply directly, and the problem has been extinguished.
Leading out loud lesson: Key influencers in an organization are either the leader’s greatest asset of greatest liability.
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Bill Florence leads the Team DCI TEAM and owns EQuad News www.e-quadnews.com
