Focus is number 4 in the series, 5 Attributes of Inspirational Leaders.
Inspirational Leaders Stay Focused
Inspirational leaders are focused on achieving a vision. They articulate it in different ways to different constituents, but the core message remains the same. They identify the small number of major initiatives or changes that must occur to transform the vision into reality. Finally, they ensure the work at all levels of the company, and in all functions, is aligned to the vision. Some spend up to 40% of their time articulating, communicating, and ensuring alignment to the vision.
Tony Fadell – Relentlessly Focused
Tony Fadell, former Apple executive, known for his design work on the original iPod and iPhone, is relentlessly focused on creating sleek, aesthetically designed, high-tech products with simple to use interfaces. His attention is automatically drawn to ugly design problems at home, at work, and in life. An interviewer from Fast Company magazine, who visited Fadell at home, writes:
Fadell is still sniping at his home’s imperfections. ‘It’s absolutely, utterly hideous!’ Fadell growls, zeroing his attention on an ugly beige gadget glued to the outside wall that controls the pool’s temperature… ‘The stupid thing was there before we got here, and it doesn’t even try to blend in. It’s staring at me, and somehow, I’m going to fix it,’ Fadell says as he continues to grimace at the plastic rectangle. His eyes then dart to his next object of scorn. ‘And just look at those horrible [security] cameras up there!’
When Fadell left Apple to start Nest, 100 Apple employees followed him – a clear sign that Fadell is an inspirational leader.
His vision?
Create a single-platform, connected-home of the future, featuring all of the following:
- Intelligent devices, such as thermostats that know when no one is home
- Remote control via smart phones
- Appliances and control devices designed to integrate with modern day home decor
- Intuitive human interface
Nest employees began their quest to create an intelligent, well-designed, easy to use home thermostat, by studying thermostat interfaces from the 1950s forward. Relentless focus.
Fadell doesn’t reserve his relentless focus for himself. He shares it throughout the company. Fadell pushes employees hard. When he asks how the development of a new product is going, he won’t tolerate the answer “Everything’s going great,” because in his view, it can’t be so. Why? It isn’t perfect…yet.
How does Fadell’s intolerance for anything less than perfection synch with the genuine caring aspect of inspirational leaders? According to Apple employees who followed Fadell to Nest, it’s stressful to work for him, but he shows that he cares.
He rewards employees when deserved and his drive for unattainable perfection brings out the best in people…He is incredibly caring and passionate about [people’s] development. There have been moments that I’ve been beyond stressed, to the point of tears, and he’ll sit down and say, ‘Let’s talk through everything that’s going on.’ These are the rare moments of clarity with Tony that make all the hard times worth it. ~ Fast Company
Inspirational leaders are focused.
Which design do you prefer?
Fadell’s Visionary Nest Learning Thermostat – a work of relentless focus
Honeywell’s Smart Thermostat
To read the first 3 posts in the series, 5 Attributes of Inspirational Leaders, click: