Pizza with cut slice

The Best Leaders are Followers

June 8, 2020

Several years ago, there was a rather endearing pizza commercial that resonated with us at VIM Executive Coaching. Two executives were working way past the close of business hours; perhaps 7:30 p.m. The offices of the large company apparently occupied several floors of a major downtown building.

A junior employee, perhaps a new marketing associate, was working in his cubicle near the door when a pizza delivery person rang the after-hours doorbell. The junior employee got up from his desk to answer, and right behind him was the CEO of the corporation. The two, separated by layers of management, had never met.

“I’ll get that,” said the CEO.

The CEO opened the glass door, and handed the driver some money. As the young executive headed back to his cubicle, the CEO asked him if he would like some pizza. The final scene showed the two, sharing pizza at the CEO’s desk.

“So, you started this company?” asked the new employee.

The CEO simply smiled and nodded.

“Cool,” said the new employee.

The Message for Leaders

The commercial, perhaps unintentionally so, was quite compelling in terms of authenticity and mindfulness.

The leader obviously saw in the junior executive a vision of himself. The two men did not know one another other but the CEO recognized the new employee was trying hard to fit in and to contribute. The CEO, rather than being arrogant in his self-importance, not only offered the junior executive dinner, but encouraged him to talk and ask questions without regard for status or position. Rather than being offended by seemingly direct questions, the CEO seemed to rather like it.

Authenticity is difficult for many leaders. Indeed, we have known some leaders, both male and female, who would have rushed by the new employee, grabbed a pizza (or whatever) and marched back to their desks.

On the other hand, we have known some very gracious leaders who not only would have extended themselves in a greeting but clearly would have duplicated the behavior of the CEO in the commercial. The difference is mindfulness.

The well-spring of mindfulness comes from deep within. It is not a quality that can be quantified, so much as experienced and cultivated. We must all ask ourselves in the moment, “Who am I, and what am I really feeling?”

The CEO (though a portrayal), asked himself, maybe reflected, “My employee is sacrificing his time and his outside needs for the sake of this company. I don’t even know who he is, or what motivates him. What is lost by getting to know him?”

It is an amazing moment, really, when the new employee innocently asked, “So you started this company?”

The CEO could have strutted around and blustered away at his self-importance. He simply ate his pizza, nodded and smiled. He was, in that moment, respectful, open and authentic. It is a powerful attribute that far too many leaders lack. He realized that there was nothing to be gained by reacting (Well yes, I am a big shot, thanks for noticing, you nothing kid!).

We have thought many times, how the CEO may have responded to the comment, “Cool.”

We believe, though we’re hardly advertising copy writers, the CEO might have said, “I did not do this by myself. I have had many wonderful employees such as yourself who shared our vision and common goals. I appreciate your commitment.”

For in the end, the best leaders are in fact, followers. Compassion also brings humility and the best of the best, remain humble and grateful.

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