How can a company bring in diverse people and get them to work together effectively? Paulo Bolgar shared Baxter Latin America’s experience in developing “inclusion” at the 2010 kickoff of WorldCity’s HR Connections series, a breakfast meeting attended by more than two dozen human resource directors and managers working for multinationals in the Miami area. Some lessons learned: Involve top leadership upfront. Make clear to all how “inclusion” helps the company grow and profit. And start teaching staff about those benefits first, before trying to recruit and promote more diverse… Read More
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Caterpillar's Tom Gales retired two days after the event, capping a 39-year career with the company.
Leadership depends on great attitude, right approach
Attitude and approach are two key aspects of solid leadership, according to panelists speaking at WorldCity’s Global Connections event on Oct. 28.
The theme of the event was “Leadering in Challenging Times: Preparing for the Recovery,” though much of the discussion centered on what makes a great leader — and what does not.
“People walking around and playing drum major turns me off,” said Tom Gales, a 39-year veteran of Caterpillar who retired two days after the event as the head of Latin America, one of the company’s most important regions. Good performance becomes apparent in the outcome, he said. “I don’t need you to tell me what a great job you did.”
Gales was joined on the panel by Joyce Elam, Ph.D., the executive dean at the Chapman Graduate School of Business at Florida International University; Mike Carricarte, the president of IOS Health Systems and the founder and former owner of Amedex Insurance; and Baird Lobree, the president and CEO of Auxis, a business and technology consulting firm.
Global Connections, one of six event series hosted by WorldCity for the multinational business community, is sponsored by FIU’s Chapman Graduate School of Business and Discovery Networks Latin America/U.S. Hispanic.
Elam leads FIU’s Chapman Graduate School of Business — and deals with leadership issues in the school’s MBA programs regularly.
“It’s all about expectations and attitude,” Elam said. “It’s about attitude and competency. There’s so much you can’t control. Attitude you can control. What you expect is what you get.”
Carricarte founded and sold a business just prior to it reaching $1 billion in annual revenues.
Carricarte said the same three traits found to be important to a long life are also important to being a successful leader, recounting a study of 85 year olds and what they shared.
“Was it the genes? Was it the parenting?” Carricarte asked. “It’s important for leaders, who tend to have these traits: Wake up in the morning ready to attack the day. They’re always wanting to learn. They’re always grateful for what they have.
“If everybody around you is limping,” he continued, “either everybody will stop limping or you will start limping.”
When times are tough, as they are now, it is easy for people to start limping, to be sure.
Lobree said tough times are when leaders shine
“I like a tough business environment,” said Lobree, of Auxis. “It’s when the real leaders shine. A lot of strategies need refining of late.”
Good leaders, the panelists agreed, often change strategies — but not who they are.
As Caterpillar’s Gales said, referring to World War II-era U.S. Gen. George Patton, legendary for his toughness, “I am not going to go from being Joe Nice Guy to being Gen. Patton.”
“Characteristics of leadership don’t change,” said Elam, representing FIU. “Confidence, hope, optimism — if anything becomes more important. It’s not unbridled hope … What do you (need to do) to get through this?”
Echoing the call for straightforward communication, Lobree said “A leader has to be willing to give the tough love message.”
Carricarte talked about the importance of the example set by the top officials in the company, harkening back to his days in the military. “You don’t eat until your troops have eaten.”
In on-line polling after the event, 95 percent called the event either “excellent” or “good” and 80 percent indicated they would be “very likely” to attend Global Connections again with remainder saying they would be “somewhat likely.”
The next Global Connections event is focused on Cuba and is being held Wednesday, Nov. 18. For more information about availability of seats, please contact Tak Takasu, director of community, at ttakasu@worldcityweb.com.
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