The Santa Claus Leadership System
Santa Claus asks, “What do you want?”
Leaders get further when they know what the people around them want.
Generosity goes wrong when you assume you know what others want. Hot dogs in a vegetarian’s Christmas stocking might be funny, but it’s not generous.
Generosity is shaped by the giver’s intent and the receiver’s perspective.
The system:
The wants of others drive Santa’s interactions. Every interaction with Santa fits a simple five step system.
- What is your name?
- What do you want?
- Have you been a good girl or boy?
- Would you like a candy cane?
- Merry Christmas.
Santa’s system applied:
- Care about people as individuals.
- Express interest in what others want. What would change about you and your organization if you actively asked, “What do you want?”
- Explore and evaluate performance.
- Give honor, gratitude, and rewards.
- Maintain optimism. Ho! Ho! Ho!
Don’t allow your needs to blind you to the wants of others.
You need things like results, profits, sales, increased numbers, and solutions. Those needs never go away. But wise leaders still ask, “What do you want?”
What leadership lessons does Santa Claus teach?
What’s troubling about asking, “What do you want?”
Originally posted December 21, 2013. I made minor edits.
