Start-up Sutra #12: When a Leader Sneezes, Everyone Catches a Cold

I recently listened to a new favorite Podcast - "Reboot" with Jerry Colonna. In the episode, Jerry (part-guru part-therapist and part-business coach) spoke about a myriad of topics including scaling businesses. (For those who haven't heard Jerry / Reboot, would recommend it if interested in the integration between business and Mindfulness.) 

As with all of the Reboot podcasts, I always take away at least one valuable nugget. This podcast was no different. During an exchange with the guest business leader, Jerry hit a cord with the following phrase:

"When a Leader sneezes, everyone catches a cold."

I let the phrase sink in and marinate a bit. The idea that an organization’s leadership sets corporate tone totally makes sense. This concept always resonated with me from an employee perspective; however I never had thought about this from the perspective of leading a small business.

When Michael and I started NIMBL, while we hoped and believed we had the opportunity to grow a successful consulting shop – I personally didn’t ever pause to reflect on growing a business to scale… a business larger than the core group of friends with whom we had worked together previously; who knew each other well; and trusted each other based on past shared experience.

Fast forward eight years later – NIMBL has grown beyond that initial core group of friends – many who are now leaders within NIMBL. (Check out my Start-up Sutra re: what starts a company doesn’t always translate into what’s needed to scale.) The reality I have recently come to understand - and more importantly appreciate - is that a leader’s tone, messaging, body-language, and comments do truly have an impact on that company, one’s co-workers, morale, and corporate culture… to name a few.

Being the passionate, informal, loud-mouthed, and sometimes Napoleonic short man that I am – I often get caught up when interacting with teammates. Thus for those NIMBL’ites who don’t know me well, one could easily misinterpret my volume or enthusiasm for something other than what I intend(ed).

While I am human and have / can get caught in my own theatrics – I failed to understand that my comments / energy sometimes had unintended impacts on the team. Flippant comments said off the cuff had the potential of causing stress, confusion, or frustration without me even thinking twice (or remembering) what I said. No Bueno.

After many a coaching session from NIMBL’s VP of People – David Morante – I have come to realize this important tenant. I continue to work hard at ensuring my communication is intentional. I strive to improve upon how I interact even in the most mundane of exchanges… while continuing to be authentic. I’m now much more conscious of my “sneezing”… so I don’t want to give anyone a “cold.”

As always - would love to hear your thoughts / comments. Namaste.

[Disclaimer: I do not remotely profess to embody this Sutra (please see my Startup Sutras original post for more background); practice this Sutra as much as I should; and / or be any type of role model. Like all ideals, I strive as much as the next to practice this as much as possible.]