Humility + Strong Will = Great #Leaders
(Just re-read this story from Good to Great by Jim Collins) & the #motivation resonated.
Coleman Mockler was the CEO of Gillette from 1975 to 1991.
A quiet, reserved man, almost a patrician gentleman. But his reserved nature could not be mistaken for weakness.
During his watch, he faced 3 hostile takeover bids. Colman didn’t capitulate.
He chose to fight for future greatness of Gillette, though he himself could have pocketed a substantial sum on his own shares.
To sell would have made short-term shareholders happy, but would have been irresponsible to long-term investors.
In the end, Mockler and the Board were proved right. The Company, it’s customers and shareholders were well served by the decision.
Sadly, Colman was never able to enjoy the full fruits of his efforts.
On January 25, 1991, Gillette team received advance copy of the cover of Forbes Magazine, featuring an artist’s rendition of Mockler standing atop a mountain, holding a giant razor above his head in a triumphal pose.
Mockler who had likely declined to be photographed, was amused at seeing himself portrayed in this Triumphant version.
Walking back to his office after this public acknowledgement of his 16 years of struggle, Mockler crumpled to the floor, struck dead by a massive attack.
It’s a matter of conjecture whether he would have chosen to die on harness, but one can be confident that he would not have changed his approach as CEO.
Life Lesson: Humility & an intense WILL to make anything the best it could be – not just because what was it in for him, but he couldn’t simply imagine doing it anyway!
Do your perspectives in the comments.
#storytelling moves People
#leadership #skillgrill #humility #ceo #hr
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