AUSTIN, Texas–A CEO who has written his own book on what great managers do differently, notes that every CEO and leader shares the same “burden.”
Below, Joel Trammell, CEO of Khorus, shares his thoughts on leadership and management as part of CUToday.info’s The Corner.
CUToday.info: What intangible of leadership is most difficult to convey or prepare for?
Trammell: The CEO role places a burden of responsibility on your shoulders that is different than any other role. Until you have been in the chair it is hard to prepare for the emotional impact of being responsible for the people and resources placed in your trust. The constant worry can take a toll on even the most experienced executive.
CUToday.info: Are you a fan of a management book or books? If not, why not. If so, which have resonated with you and why?
Trammell: I am a voracious reader of business books as they often provide a key idea that can be leveraged in my own business. There are many classics that I regularly refer to. One of my favorites, that was a game changer for me, was "First Break all the Rules: What Great Managers Do Differently." When I wrote my book, The CEO Tightrope, I tried to capture many of the key lessons I learned along the way.
CUToday.info: Innovation: four syllables getting all the attention. Deservedly so? If so, can you really drive innovation? Or is it coming at the cost of implementation and delivery?
Trammell: In my opinion innovation requires a deep curiosity into the issues you are trying to solve. Too many companies work so hard to standardize activities that they don’t allow people to explore the problem they are trying to solve. Once you tell people this is the way to do something you stop them from imagining better ways. Instead I try to say this is what we are trying to accomplish now you figure out the best way to do it.
CUToday.info: If you could go back and talk to You On The First Day On The Job, what advice do you share?
Trammell: People are everything. Hire well, coach constantly and celebrate victories. If you do those things a lot of other things will take care of themselves.
CUToday.info: My Keeps-Me-Up-At-Night concern is? Why? And My-Let’s-Me-Sleep-At-Night optimism is?
Trammell: I am always worried that I am not doing enough to make the business successful. All of us are naturally scared of failure. On my bad nights that bothers me on my good nights I know there is no permanent failure and no permanent success just the journey.
For more information: www.khorus.com.