Leadership according to Bob Iger

Bob Iger has been the CEO of the Walt Disney Company for 16 years with decades spent there and its subsidiary ABC. He was crowned as the Time 2019 businessperson of the year. 

These are the leadership traits he has found most important according to his 2019 memoir, "The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company."

1. Optimism

Iger sees it as a pragmatic enthusiasm for what can be accomplished. "People are not motivated or energized by pessimists." 

2. Courage

"True innovation occurs only when people have courage." Its true in many types of business decisions. It is also at the heart of productive risk taking.  He also says, "Fear of failure destroys creativity. "

3. Focus

It is allocating resources to what is most important. "It is imperative to communicate your priorities clearly and often."

4. Decisiveness

"Chronic indecision is not only inefficient and counterproductive but deeply corrosive to morale."

5. Curiosity

Bob believes curiousity leads to the discovery of "new people, places and ideas as well as an awarness and an understanding of the marketplace and its changing dynamics."

He goes on, "The path to innovation begins with curiosity."

6. Fairness

Fair treatment of people is key to effective leadership. "Fear and anxiety discourage communication and innovation." He highlights the need for empathy and accessibility. "Nothing is worse to an organization than a culture of fear."

7. Thoughtfulness

"It is one of the most underrated elements of good leadership," he says.  It entails taking the time and gaining the knowledge so that the best decision can be made and informed opinions can be formed.

8. Authenticity

It is the precursor for trust and respect. Iger values being genuine and honest.  "Don't fake anything."

9. Relentless pursuit of perfection

He defines it as a refusal to accept mediocrity. "If you are in the business of making things, be in the business of making things great."

10. Integrity

Finally, he believes the integrity of people and product is the most important thing. High ethical standards determines its success.  "The way you do anything is the way you do everything."

Start Where You Are

These are difficult times and now more than ever people are looking for direction and hope. Many pray for a unprecedented change of circumstances or a miraculous job offer that will rescue them from their challenges. Friends that could happen but it's just not likely. And its probably not the best thing for you. Its through the struggle that makes you stronger and wiser. And the likelihood is God has been preparing you with where you have been for where you need to go. So start where you are. The key to your future might already be in your pocket. #dailydean 

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Gifting to the heart: Life Lesson April 23, 2020

It was my birthday last month. Maybe it's because of my age but getting gifts isn't what it used to be when I was a kid. So I am thankful for the thought rather than the object. So I got a few nice things. But what touched my heart more than anything else was a small grouping of food items that I dearly love to eat... in particular Kellogg's Smacks, or dig 'em as I used to call them as a kid. I savored every bite of that box. The clothes and cologne were very nice and certainly more expensive than boxed cereal but nothing touched my heart near as much as that sugar-coated puffed wheat cereal.

Moral of the story: The best gift to give is not the most expensive. Its the one that touches the heart.