Parker's Points
December 2009
What makes a Successful Leader?
This month I went to hear a talk by an author of a new book called Business Mensch. The subtitle is Timeless Wisdom for Today's Entrepreneur's. The book appealed to me because the author, Noah Alper, writes about having a traditional religious life and a thriving business. While Mr. Alper is Jewish I believe this book can help those with a different set of religious practices to integrate those beliefs into their business or work life. More than that Alper believes those religious practices helped him to be successful. While Mr. Alper is focused on the entrepreneur (He is one.) I believe these characteristics are also applicable to anyone who wants to be a business leader. Here are the 7 traits that Noah Alper believes one needs to be successful. I've maintained his Yiddish words with some definitions since they seem so apt and colorful.
- Chutzpah-The best definition of chutzpah I have ever heard was written in the book The Joys of Yiddish by Leo Rosten. He says the word means gall, nerve or arrogance. His example- if Lizzie Borden (A Massachusetts woman who killed her mother and father) threw herself on the mercy of the court because she was an orphan. (Hope that made you smile!) Alper says that a business person must be willing to take risks and perhaps ignore conventional wisdom. Leaders must have the nerve and chutzpah to do what others fear doing.
- Self knowledge-Here Alper refers to finding your purpose in life. He asks the reader to stop living by other people's standards and to define their own standards by using their unique gifts, talents and passions in the work that they do. (If you have been reading my newsletter for a while you know self knowledge is what my practice is about!)
- Energy-The author suggests the entrepreneur must be ready, willing and able to move quickly. To be successful the leader can't just sit there. He/she must take action sometimes with very little time to think. Those who take initiative in the workforce today will be the ones to survive and thrive.
- Shtetl dweller-The word Shtetl is Yiddish for village. To be successful in business and work leaders must have good support. It may be hard for those who enjoy being independent and doing everything by themselves to get help from others. It is imperative however that leaders work with customers, employees, and vendors to be successful. A shtetl in this context is a community of people that the leader knows really well and with whom he/she shares a common vision of the future.
- Mensch-Mensch means man but not in the male and masculine way but in a broader context. It means being an upright citizen and treating others with respect. Some believe that to be successful in business a leader must be cut throat and aggressive. Alper makes a case for being a great boss, treating customers well, and being an active leader in the community.
- Resilience-Who doesn't experience failure at some point in their career? The key to being a successful entrepreneur and leader is to learn from failure and move on. The author suggests using those failures as a springboard to the next successful venture. Read last month's Parker's Points for more about Resilience.
- Time off-The successful business leader today knows he/she must work hard but as Covey says everyone needs time to "sharpen the saw". To do that Alper suggests that that once a week entrepreneurs step away from the daily routine and take a day off. I would add that taking a vacation once or twice a year is equally important.