To A New Decade

With only a week remaining in the decade -- one that seemed to speed by, no? -- it's natural to look back over the 10-year period that helped define a new reality for this country and the world.

We can begin with September 11, 2001. We can end with the global financial crisis of 2008.

In between, we staged a preemptive invasion of a foreign country. The Supreme Court was needed to determine the outcome of a presidential election. Katrina revealed the dark underbelly of a government all too slow to come to the rescue of its poor. A devastating tsunami ravaged Southeast Asia. Viruses with peculiar names -- SARS, avian flu, swine flu -- scared us. We elected an African-American to the highest post in the land. Hundreds of thousands lost their homes; millions lost their jobs.

We watched space shuttle Columbia explode. We struggled with inequities (Wall Street vs. Main Street) and geography (the ability to see Russia from one's home). We observed as reputations were forever tarnished due to 'performance-enhancing' drugs and 'transgressions'. We learned to post, text, and tweet on our smart phones -- all while driving. We only talked as a famine and civil war decimated Somalia.

We said good-bye to far too many greats: Walter C., Peter J., Ted K., Eunice K., Paul N., Red A., Marcel M., Soupy S., Cyd C., Norman M., Bill W., Bea A., Arthur M., Michael J., Shana A., Richard P., Saul B., Betty F., Hunter T., Rona J., Zalman Y., Beverly S., Luciano P., Mary T., Robert M., Deborah K., George H., Johnny C. to name only a very few.

And in the decade's waning moments, we failed miserably in Copenhagen yet, somehow, created the framework to deliver health care to all U.S. citizens.

A horrific, tumultuous, maddening, life-changing decade. One with rays of hope sprinkled in, but only every so often.

I, for one, am ready for a new decade. One with a passion for helping those in need, strong economic growth, and a commitment to the planet. And a whole lot less death and destruction.

So, please, join me in a toast to 2010 and a new chance to show that we're capable of learning from the past. Here's to:

• Recycling, composting, tiny carbon footprints and the smell of fresh-baked bread

• Actually looking forward to reviewing your 401(k) statement and a return to affordable university tuition

• New jobs, less debt and genuine smiles

• A return to true investigative reporting and the FCC requiring Fox News to drop 'News' from its name

• 'Please', 'thank you', and holding doors
  

• A passion for helping others -- regardless of their continent -- and a commitment to consider those in need as family

• A return to the essence of banking as practiced by A.P. Giannini, the founder of Bank of America, who provided egalitarian banking services to the "little fellows", as he put it, in the mainstream and immigrant communities of California
  

• A real playoff system for college football and our teams being a part of it

• Driving less, walking more, and saying 'hello' to those you pass on the street

• Sharing good music, great books and fabulous wine

• Friends, family, joy and love

• Replacing 'no problem' -- as a reply to 'thank you' -- with 'you're welcome' or the very gracious 'with pleasure' (No problem?! I say "thank you" and you say "no problem"? You only filled my water glass or brought me the bill. I certainly hope it wasn't a problem!) (Sorry. I really don't like the expression. 'No worries' is only slightly better.)
  

• An eagerness to learn from others, especially those you most disagree with

• The Democrats for getting their act together on health care and the Republicans for completely and utterly missing the point that their job is to help people, and lastly
  

• The end to war and the beginning of a united fight to end hunger worldwide.
  

Let's get the next 10 years right, starting with 2010.

Happy New Year! Welcome to the second decade of the 21st century.

Wishes

The Trevi Fountain in Rome. The perfect place to make a wish. In this case, a set of wishes. We're nearing the end of the year, so it seems only appropriate, no?

But before we go there, let's identify those airports from last week. If you said, reading down the page:

• Beijing
  
• Denver
  
• San Francisco
• Paris's Roissy-Charles deGaulle
  
• Hong Kong
• Madrid

give yourself 5 points. (No point given for identifying SFO, since its name is clearly visible in the photo.) Give yourself 100 points if you've been to all of them. (Sorry. No partial credit given for having been to only some of these airports. It's my game and thems the rules.)

Back to Rome. We're standing before the magnificent Trevi Fountain with the opportunity to wish for anything as the New Year approaches. It's crowded and our time in front of the fountain is limited. We'll only have a few minutes to make our wishes. What do we wish for?

Here are our humble suggestions (listed in random order):

• The end to war. Haven't we seen enough already? On Wednesday, it took an entire page of the San Francisco Chronicle to report on a series of car bombings that took place around the world the previous day. (Please no jokes about the use of the words 'Chronicle' and 'report' in the same sentence. That would be way too easy.) And that was just Wednesday. It's absolutely amazing that religion has been and continues to be one of the primary reasons for bloodshed. We're all part of this. Indeed, Hanukkah is the commemoration of the first recorded fight for religious freedom. Of course, fighting for freedom is one thing. Fighting to oppress in the name of religion is quite another. And our country's attempt to end the fighting of others by fighting is a futile strategy we've seen all too recently. (Think Vietnam.) Will we ever learn? I wish we would.
  

• More people helping more people. If there was ever a time when a large number of people need help, this is it. Whether they be in the neighborhood, down the street or in a land far from home, we wish for more people to get involved to help. And it doesn't have to be in a big way. Small things from many people add up quickly and can have a huge impact. Providing health care for everyone in this country is another important step to helping those less fortunate. Isn't giving the true spirit of this season? Let's make giving what we do year-round.
  

• A commitment to address global warming. Despite what some would say -- Sarah, this is for you -- the 'so-called experts', as you put it, are indeed experts. They have the training, have done the research, have evaluated the data, and they conclude that we're in for a set of potentially catastrophic, cataclysmic events that will change our planet forever. Said simply so you'll get this, Sarah, we're killing Earth. And the effects are accelerating. (That means the bad stuff is speeding up, Sarah.) Doubt the experts? Stand with the polar bears as their world melts around them. Our wish is that we listen very carefully to the experts and do something about it. All of us. Now.

• Free the working millions. We wish for employers everywhere to allow their people to contribute more to their organizations. Transform culture so that winning, becoming world-class is the focus. More honest communication, more involvement in decisions, more latitude in dealing with customers, less hierarchy, more employee-lead teams, less reliance on supervision, more independent thought. Engage front-line people in solving your organization's most pressing issues and, surprise!, you'll find that you've got a lot of smart, resourceful people on your payroll. People who can make your organization thrive. And, of course, if you need help making this happen, give us a call. (Hey, we haven't had a shameless plug in weeks. We were due.)
  

Our top four wishes, submitted for your review.

I know, I know. What about things closer to home? Like people holding doors for you? Or slow drivers staying in the slow lane? Or Cal reaching the Rose Bowl or the San Francisco Giants winning the World Series?

Sorry. We only had a few minutes at the fountain and wanted to focus on things that seemed possible.

Actually, we do have one last wish. We wish The Job of Work's mom a very happy and healthy 80th birthday! The irreverence you read here is largely due to her.

Happy Birthday, Ma!

Have a very merry Christmas and see you next week.

Come Fly

It's been said -- at least from an architecture standpoint -- that if you've seen one airport, you've seen one airport.

Let that observation sit for a moment. If you've seen one airport, you've seen one airport.

Check out the photos and you might agree. (By the way, can you name the six airports? If you have trouble naming even one, please consider glasses, less alcohol and/or another blog. Check back next week for their identities.)

Indeed, if you spend any time at all in airports you know that no two airport structures are alike. Most are beautiful, evoking the wonder and romance of travel. A number seek to hearken to the days of the grand rail stations. Some remind us of our penchant for exploration and wonder.

If you have the time or inclination to notice the architecture, that is.

Unfortunately, despite the awe-inspiring buildings (LaGuardia aside), most airports fall significantly short of eliciting enjoyment and pleasure -- at least when the true customer experience is considered. Too bad, too, given that most airports are eager for you, the traveling public, to experience the luxury, convenience and excitement of air travel.

Ah, the joys of air travel. Right. You call this joy?

• Traffic cops, who seem to have lost all ability to smile or even say anything pleasantly, insisting that you can't stop for more than 10 seconds to unload even the most frail traveler.

• The wait -- and fees! -- to check baggage (not, of course, the fault of the airport).
  

• The lines and fun of security, an experience made even more wildly entertaining when it's raining and the floor is damp (love wet feet, no?) or when the person at the head of the line can't quite get the idea that you can't wear your overcoat through the magnetometer.
  

• The stop at the bathroom (Over/Under Bet: That there are more paper towels on the floor than in the receptacles).

• Standing in line at any concessionaire, few of whom make eye contact or seem to appreciate your business (Another Over/Under Bet: That not all cash registers are open despite a long line).

• Trekking to the gate, looking for an electrical outlet (almost always a lost cause).

• Trying to use your phone over the cacophony of constant and aggravating public address announcements throughout the concourse reminding us incessantly how to prepare for the security screen -- even though we've already survived it! -- or that "the white zone is for the loading and unloading of passengers only. No parking." And every PA announcement amp turned up to 11. (A gratuitous This Is Spinal Tap reference.)
  

• Finding out that the 'WiFi Here!' signs really mean 'Pay $9.95 for an hour and we'll let you find your (slow) way to the Internet, thank you very much'.

• Needing to get in line yet again to board your plane (Certainly there must be an alternative to forming boarding lines, no? Enough with the lines already!).

• Finally, once on board there's the joy of sitting behind someone who reclines into your face, nearly crushing your computer. And, if you're truly lucky, sitting beside someone who can't quite fit into the seat (if you know what I mean and I'm sure you do). All nice people to be sure, but people who you wish were sitting anywhere else.

• And, lastly, as we've mentioned here before, trying to enjoy the flight with the benefit of less-than-civil 'service'. Certainly nothing to eat. Maybe a second cup of water, maybe not. Maybe a smile, maybe not.
  

Is there any wonder, then, why the gorgeous airport architecture goes unnoticed? Or why the idea of traveling by bus seems, somehow, attractive?

As I've asked before: Whatever happened to service? To a little eye contact? To a smile? To -- are you sitting? -- some warmth? Is this all too much to ask?

It seems that when you enter an airport you should be transported -- at least emotionally -- to a world of amazing and vast possibilities. Where each gate leads to another, more exotic destination. (No Cleveland jokes here; too many family members live nearby.) Where exploration begins. Where the world gathers to find its way home. Where loved ones part and reunite. And where the airport staff -- whether they be bus drivers, traffic cops, baggage handlers, ticket agents, TSA, concessionaires, or airport employees -- take the time to help you relax, if just a bit, and create a gracious, welcoming environment equal to the structure you're in. (LaGuardia does this well. The ambiance the airport staff creates is, indeed, equal to its dismal terminal. Sorry, but true.)

After all, airports want and need you. Too bad they don't act that way.

Let me leave you with the opening scene of the wonderful movie Love Actually, which captures one huge element of what airports are and should be about. (Haven't seen it? Rent it today. You'll be glad you did.)

Happy Hanukkah!

It's About Leadership, True Leadership

The current edition of Fortune Magazine features, as its cover story, the building of great leaders. While it's always nice for Fortune to highlight and publicize the need for leadership -- winning in business is all about the people, after all -- their articles were infuriating on a number of levels.

Let's count the ways:

• Who's the dude to the right? Yes, it's Fortune's graphic representation of a corporate leader, borrowed from the magazine's cover. Am I alone in this, or might this portend a rather conservative, traditional, narrow-minded, 'corporate' approach to leadership? (I know, I know. Don't judge a book by its cover. But does anything scream 'old-school' more than that graphic?) While it's wise not to make too much of the illustration -- it does, indeed, telegraph the view Fortune has when it comes to what they call 'leadership'. It's so last century.
  

• The article describes how Fortune, with the help of Hewitt Associates and the HR services firm RBL Group, went about selecting those companies most successful at developing leadership. Here's how they did it:
  

  To create the ranking, we surveyed more than 500 global companies in search of the top businesses at attracting, retaining, and nurturing talent. After several rounds of analysis and interviews, we turned to a team of respected judges from around the world to help select the final list.

  By the way, reading the fine print about the study's process yields no additional information. Nothing about, say, criteria, definition of 'leadership', or, frankly, anything that would allow the reader to have any sense as to how these firms and the 'respected' judges selected their finalists. The judging on Dancing With The Stars, I'm told, has more rigor.
  
  The results were hardly surprising. Twenty-five companies are named. Terrific organizations, many with a long history of developing strong executive talent. Hard to find fault with this group. Of course, one wonders, why these companies were selected and not the other 475 or so that participated in the study. Ah, but why quibble. It's the usual suspects.
  
  And, finally, there are the findings about how these companies develop their next set of leaders. Developmental assignments, many of them outside of the United States. Some that stretch the individual's comfort zone, challenging the person to perform in uncharted territory, so to speak. Wow. So that's how they do it. Who would have thought?

What really bothers me about this -- and most articles about leadership, for that matter -- is that Fortune confuses management with leadership. No doubt these companies are developing strong, capable managers via developmental assignments. No doubt these people are able to oversee large, complex operations. No doubt these individuals produce healthy returns to their organizations. But, are these companies developing leaders? I wonder.

So, let's talk leadership. True leadership.

As a working definition, something Fortune, Hewitt Associates and the RBL Group seemed to overlook, I'd propose that:

Leadership is the ability to produce amazing results -- results not previously thought possible -- through people.

It's a mouthful, to be sure, but a good mouthful, no? Amazing results, results not previously thought possible, through people. Show me someone who can do that and I'll show you a true leader.

I'm glad you asked, because I have someone in mind.

This guy. Robert Mondavi.

Never have I known an individual who could instill more significantly a captivating vision, an urgency for unparalleled quality, and a drive for excellence in people than Robert Mondavi. He changed -- arguably created -- the California wine industry, redefined wine's place in the lives of millions, and became the icon and shining light for thousands of people lucky enough to have worked with and around him.

Robert built leadership daily. With a singular focus and a relentless passion for quality, Robert inspired everyone to produce outstanding results, whether it was in the rolling of the hoses in the cellar, the topping of wine barrels, the nurturing of vines, the washing of wine glasses, the gracious approach to visitors, the marketing and selling of wine, or in the hiring and development of top talent. He challenged, he stretched, he drove people. Everyone felt essential, everyone felt accountable, and everyone performed. Or they were asked to play elsewhere.

Robert would claim repeatedly to anyone within earshot that it was about producing wine that is "worthy of being in the company of the world's greatest wines". (Actually, 'repeatedly' does not begin to describe how often he voiced this mantra.) But I believe Robert had another goal: That of producing people who are worthy of being in the company of the world's greatest. For Robert knew that wonderful wine came from wonderful people. "Find me talented people, people filled with excitement," he'd tell us, and "we'll teach them how to make great wine."

And the people-related results of Robert's approach? The California wine industry is now filled with owners, CEOs, Presidents and other executives who were developed and, importantly, inspired by Robert Mondavi. Indeed, Robert's legacy is, in part, a who's who list of those who now lead the wine industry and those who remain in the business creating some of the world's most amazing wines. Taste his wines and you'll taste his passion for people.

For me, that's leadership. Producing results, through people, that are beyond what was previously thought possible. Find people who can do that and you'll be in the presence of true leadership.

Maybe next year, Fortune, you'll keep this in mind.

In the meantime, we miss you, Bob.