Lead from Among, Not from Above

Stewart Emery shared a story with Dr. Ivan Misner recently about a billionaire CEO who used the same company cafeteria as the rest of the employees. Prospective buyers of the company wanted that to change if they bought the company. The CEO halted the negotiations that day. 

As business people have a choice about whether to be inclusive or exclusive. The more successful one is, the easier it is to be standoffish. For example, a good network might be tempted to be exclusive, but a GREAT network will be inclusive and share its success.

Leaders should be approachable. When others understand that leaders care about their success, it creates a healthy culture. Leading from among makes us better leaders in our own businesses.