Week of 10/19/2008 - 00:00 to 10/25/2008 - 23:59

Zappos, the online shoe company, is a great example of Tribal Leadership.  Their customer service is legendary and is due to the culture instilled by their CEO.  The early years at Dell were filled with Stage 4 tribes--not I'm great but WE'RE great.

A book titled TRIBAL LEADERSHIP has been written, and Zappos is offering the audiobook for FREE.  Here is the link to get it http://www.zappos.com/tribal.zhtml

Herb Kelleher, the co-founder and former Chairman of Southwest Airlines, was quoted as saying "we've got a strategy-it's called doing stuff".  I always liked that, because it referred to action.  I'm not in favor of diving in without any thought or planning, but at some point you have to take action in order to get results.

Leadership comes in many forms and in many places.  Being aspirational and motivational are qualities needed by every leader, but it takes more than this.  A leader has to take action and execute. 

I've worked in a "cube farm" for years, and going from an office with a view of the hills was a bit of an adjustment.  Having the office was not just nice, it allowed me to have 1x1s and small group meetings without having to go in search of a room.  Business became obsessed with real estate efficiency instead of worker efficiency and productivity when it converted to cubicles.  Which do you think is worth more?