In Jason Jennings' latest book, The High-Speed Company, he draws upon 11,000 interviews of leaders in all manner of organizations. He responds to a critically important question: "How to create a sense of urgency among the workforce while achieving and then sustaining profitable growth?" The pace of this book's narrative correctly suggests the velocity at which changes occur in which has become a global marketplace, and, the velocity at which leaders must respond effectively to those changes. According to Jennings, the people who lead the fastest and best-performing companies don't see the world's problems, opportunities, rewards, and costs through the lens of what they mean to them. "They understand that true happiness and satisfaction come when we focus on others. They are, at heart, caregivers who see their purposes as being the best stewards of the resources, both tangible and intangible, that have been entrusted to them and making sure that all assets are used efficiently, effectively, and profitably."
And now his most important insight: "The single shared trait that I'd been looking for was [begin italics] stewardship [end italics]. It was also the essential last piece of the puzzle for creating urgency and growth in a nanosecond culture." Great leaders dare to serve rather than aspire to gain and retain power. This is precisely what Cheryl Bachelder has in mind when describing the leaders she admires most. They were great to work for but also led their teams to remarkable results. "Their motives go beyond self-interest. They challenge you to pursue daring, bold aspirations that create an exciting place to work. They shun the spotlight in favor of serving a higher purpose. They evidence principles in their daily decisions. You not only love these leaders but also perform your very best work for them.