IBM's Centennial and Leadership

Leadership changes are frequently needed dependent on changes in technology, business climate, the environment of world events. We are all experiencing all of these issues on a continual basis and to a great degree at extremes if we are personally involved. The latest series of world catastrophes accentuates our emotional reactions, sometimes masking the realistic view of events, natural world events, occurring naturally. There are events with huge impacts which we have no control over. Hard to believe, but we cannot control everything. Nature’s forces can be unrelenting and nature’s forces have no emotion, no feeling, no compassion, no judgment, just impact.

So, why bring this up in an article about leadership? Quite frankly, leaders focus on issues and events which they can do something about. They channel their energies and resources to resolve complex issues, prevent those which they are able in the future, learn quickly from the experiences and put a strategy in place to avoid the problem in the future and grow from what they have learned. IBM will be celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Sam Palmisano will also turn 60, which is the age where IBM’s CEO’s have stepped down and passed on the gavel. I have had the opportunity to work in IBM during the tenure of Frank Cary, John Opel, John Akers, Louis Gerstner, and Sam Palmisano. Each of these CEO’s had unique styles which were needed during their era. IBM has been successful because of this and “took a revitalized IBM and made it the envy of the tech world and the darling of investors.” (FORTUNE, March 21, 2011 pg 115). Sam has taken “long term” to a new level. IBM is his life and he connects with clients throughout the world to grow the business, increase his span of relationships, and ensure the next CEO inherits a much improved company. Who will be next? Will it be Virginia Rometty or Michael Daniels. Or, perhaps Rod Adkins. All of these potential candidates are extremely bright, thoughtful leaders with an eye on the future and with IBM blue blood coursing through their veins. They are experienced individuals who will have an application of their needed style and leadership as they take the reins of IBM and lead it into the future.

As Tom Watson Sr. said, “All the problems of the world could be settled if people were only willing to think. The trouble is that people very often resort to all sorts of devices in order not to think, because thinking is such hard work.”

Has your organization taken the time to think about its future? Has it created a talent pool of future leaders? Do you have a program to nurture future leaders after identifying the required competencies and behaviors to meld all global cultures to thrive and excel? If you haven’t, you better escalate your efforts and get the people who can help you.

Image via WikipediaInterested in what IBM has done in 100 years and about IBMers?  Click on this link-> 100 years of IBM to see 100 years of IBM in 13 minutes.

Does AVATAR have a hidden message, or are we just introspecting?

Image via Wikipedia

The hot topic today seems to be about the hidden messages in AVATAR. I've seen this wonderfully technologically advanced and visually overloading movie and I didn't find anything hidden at all. That is not to say there isn't a message to take away, or things to think about, or no more than the moral messages from the other blockbuster movie with a message BLINDSIDE . So, why is there all this hoopla about the movie? Personally I am overjoyed it may have caused people to think about conservation, the environment, military might, mercenaries, invasion of indigenous peoples, flower, fauna, the planet and yes the incredibly rare and needed ore called unobtainium (get it...it's unobtainable, except on Pandora). As I walked away from the movie I too had feelings of remorse of how we, the US culture treated our Native Americans. Ok, I admit, it wasn't me, but to think about how people from another continent invaded, yes invaded the western hemisphere for their own gratification. You can call it what you want, but the natives owned their own land and it was taken from them. The natural resources were used to whatever means were desired. Also, this was with total disregard to the natural balance of things. Reviewing past history, we know the end results. I think this has struck a very sensitive cord because it may have forced us to take a look at ourselves in the very largest perspective of looking at ourselves and what we, the human race has done. You can make all sorts of excuses or rationalizations, but we all know the reality of our actions. If you take the time to sit back and think, and ponder, and observe, and really reflect, you can make your own conclusions, and you will. History teaches us many things and all we have to do is learn from it. The stronger, bolder, more aggressive beings seem to always want to overpower, rule, and control the weaker...does this sound familiar? The weaker indigenous peoples seem to understand the importance of the balance of nature. They appear to be in touch with the important elements of life. I could list significant times in history where this is repeated, but you should know those. I did have the opportunity to do a field study of the American Indians while a student at Wayne State University in Detroit and learned a lot about our Native Americans and how they understood the balance of nature. I also learned about myself and walked away with a new different perspective. Knowledge will do that. Additionally, I could list many many movies with similar messages, such a Dances with Wolves, Last of the Mohegans, Lawrence of Arabia, Little Big Man, even Brave heart. The story line is the same. Good versus evil. Weak versus strong. Ideals and Culture clashes. If AVATAR stirred up some hidden feelings, biases, or political discoveries ....good. I think it worked because we are all talking about it. 

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