Which Way Is Your Monkey?

Too many companies are organized like a tree of monkeys. Everyone at the top, looking down, sees only smiles. But everyone at the bottom, looking up, sees only asses.

Self-serving leaders are keen to climb up the tree. Their careers may do well, but they are not leaders. The higher they go up the tree, the more people who can see that they are just another ass trying to make their way up the tree.

The servant leader faces down the tree. They concern themselves with getting more of the people looking up to see a smile - to see something good.  To inspire them. People would rather follow the smile than the ass. 

The good news is that the servant leader's career still does well.  Though those at the top of the tree may see something somewhat disagreeable, the smiles beneath that servant leader, the loyalty they command and their ability to inspire, can not be ignored.  In fact, it is rewarded.

Being a downward facing monkey is the best strategy to avoid short-term pitfalls in a career and for a company. If you're a servant leader, all those beneath you, looking up, will tell you which branches to look out for.  No one is looking out of the self-serving monkey.  No one cares what happens to that ass.

Comments

[Jared Yellin-Brandentity]

Interesting symbolism, but unfortunately valid. I have always struggled with the concept of entry level employees. I understand that everyone needs to start somewhere, but why do ceilings need to be erected over their heads simply because they have not “put in their time.” We live in a performance based world, where those that perform reap the benefits, but this is often not the case for the entry level because they are never given the opportunity to truly make a difference. Now, some of these entry employees do not mind their commoditized roles, but for those who are proactive and possess an entrepreneurial flare, compromises will have to be made. Why not base your organization on innovation where age is arbitrary and instead dedication and drive is at the forefront of the growth cycle? Will this lead to frustrations for the men/woman at the helm, MAYBE, but I say, “WHO CARES!” This should inspire them to remain focused while constantly creating new and improved ideas. Maybe this model is somewhat fictitious, but I stand by my beliefs because age is arbitrary and not correlated with insight…