That is a difficult aspect for business leaders and managers who find their workers dealing with basic necessities of life. Those with jobs make on average $4 per day and find that 60% of their salaries go toward transportation. Sean Hsu, the YPO Education Chair and owner of Netcom, described the Nigerian workers as a “me” culture. It’s hard to think of terms of “we” when everyone is dealing with daily survival.

Chaos
A guess one word that would describe my experience of Lagos and Nigeria in general was “chaos.” The government is full of corruption where bribes are commonplace. As a result, the business leaders that I met have learned to deal with this type of culture by developing relationships.  Another example of the chaos was the traffic! It was like nothing I have ever seen before. On the way to the airport, I had a police escort arranged by one of the members of YPO.  I count those 90 minutes among the most amazing times of my life. It reminded me of the bumper car ride at Disneyland — just in real life! Weaving in and out of traffic without lanes or turn signals…it was truly an experience like I’ve never had before.

Why Lagos?
So I kept thinking to myself, “Why Lagos?”  It was intriguing to me that this group of successful and distinguished business leaders chose to build their lives in Lagos. With all difficulties of living there that include not having basic services, dealing with incredible traffic congestion, the challenges of worker productivity and government corruption…Why choose this city? Why this country to grow a business?

The answer was unanimous among this group of leaders. Lagos is an emerging country with tremendous opportunity for business growth. The potential for financial profit had enormous upside and was worth all that went along with life there. What stood out for me was how these leaders acknowledged the chaos but chose instead to concentrate on the opportunity. They saw what most others cannot see. They accepted the difficulties and were willing to tolerate them for the opportunity, upside and potential.  It is a key aspect of their success. There was financial reward and also an opportunity to improve life in this area of Africa by providing jobs.

This experience in Africa has been a reminder of a simple but sometimes elusive skill – it’s what we focus on that matters. Leaders have the ability to not only see the opportunity but then lead themselves and others through the chaos to get there. A wonderful reminder for us all!

DHL team philosophy

I have been in Nigeria for three days as a guest with the Young President’s Organization). As part of my trip, I spent a few hours with the Managing Director of DHL here in Nigeria, Randy Buday. He is responsible for managing the Western countries in Africa. He is an American originally from the Los Angeles area who has lived and worked in Africa for 30 years.

(Pictured Left to right: Isaac Sackey, Area HR & Administration Manager Central West Africa; Randy Buday, Managing Director DHL Nigeria; Betsy Myers)

DHL was recently named one of the best companies to work for in Nigeria. As Randy gave me a tour of their site in Lagos it was an opportunity to learn about the DHL leadership philosophy and how Randy embodies that very philosophy in his personal style.

We spent time talking over lunch with the Central West Africa area Human Resources manager, Isaac Sackey, who resides in Ghana and who also has been with DHL for 20 years. Throughout our conversation, they shared how a key element of their success has been the focus they put on engaging their employees. They have a culture of empowerment – managers trust their team to make decisions, and their managers are held accountable for how they engage their people. To exemplify this idea, they have a banner that hangs in the warehouse, “I own it, I’m on it.”

After speaking with these leaders today, two key employee engagement strategies stand out for me. First, Randy hosts a quarterly town hall session for all the employees. This is where he is able to share strategic information about the company with DHL employees. These sessions are also an opportunity for employees to ask questions and bring up any issues on their minds.

Second, they have a suggestion box that employees use to share ideas, suggestions or frustrations. Randy answers them in the monthly employee newsletters, so employees know they will get an answer. In his experience, he feels that when your employees respect you, they will work hard for you.

His personal philosophy was one of an open door policy. He is talks with his employees, visits the distribution center often and walks the floors taking with his people. He has an open and engaging personality with a passion for the business and the market share that DHL has in Africa. Even though Nigeria is not an easy place to work due to a high level of poverty, caos and corruption. However, Randy sees the opportunity, embraces the challenge by engaging his employees and treating them with respect. Even his driver, Anthony, shared with me that he is at DHL because of Randy!

This week, I was also thrilled to find out that the Washington Post named Take the Lead among the Top Leadership Books of 2011.  I’m in great company with Jim Collins (Great By Choice) and Walter Isaacson (author of the Steve Jobs biography). Check out the list on the Post’s Leadership blog.

This holiday season, I hope that you enjoy the company of your friends and family and reflect on your career and the things that matter most — for 2012, will bring new opportunities to Take the Lead.

Happy Holidays!

Great By Choice

View the list.

On Nov. 17, nine girls attended a Microsoft’s DigiGirlz Event to hear successful women in the technology field speak. One of them was Betsy Myers, who worked with the administrations of presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. This event was to teach these students to follow their dreams, and inspire them to go into the science, math or technology fields.

View full article.

Warren Bennis is the guru of leadership. His memoir takes you on the journey and exploration of his life through his crucible moments that established his leadership thinking and credibility. I couldn’t put this book down!

Purchase

This book will help you understand what it takes to move into the “C-Suite” and can help you evaluate your strengths and address your weaknesses. It’s filled with practical tips to avoid career limiting “sticky floor.” A must read!

Purchase

One of only 14 women CEOs in the Fortune 500, Morrison discussed her philosophies on leadership and confidence, the role her family played (and plays) in her success, and how strategic career moves can help women advance to the C-suite.

Watch the interview

I said, “Okay, tell you what: I’ll suggest some activities now and then, and when you’re ready to do something outside of school, you can choose.”

A few years later, when she was six, we went together to her best friend Rachael’s dance recital. The program featured ballet, tap, jazz, and hip-hop for girls from three to twenty years old. It was a three-hour production — and Madison sat on the edge of her seat the whole time, completely enthralled in every minute of it.

“Mommy,” she said after the recital was over, “This is what I want to do! Can we sign up right now?” So we did — she signed up for a class that combined ballet, tap, and jazz for her age group.

Sometime later, we went shopping for a leotard and shoes in preparation for her dance class. After Madison picked out a few different styles, we made our way to the fitting room, where she tried on each one to see which felt most comfortable. Finally, she made her choice: sleeveless and black with a matching skirt.

As she stood in front of the mirror, assessing her new outfit, her face lit up. “Mommy,” she exclaimed, “I am freaking out with joy! I was born to dance!”

That was three years ago. Madison has since danced in several recitals herself, and she is totally engaged in her dance class. In fact, it has become her favorite part of the week. She prepares her dance bag the night before each class session to make sure she doesn’t forget anything the next morning. After her first spring recital, when the dance studio shut down for summer recess, Madison said, “How am I going to live this summer without dance class? Dance is my life!”

Ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and she replies without hesitation, “A dancer!” If you’re looking for Madison, chances are good you’ll find her in some part of the house practicing her dancing.

Madison’s love of dancing reminds me that it is those times in our lives when we are freaking out with joy that give us the greatest clues about who we are and where we genuinely belong.

There is a unique, almost magnetic quality I’ve often noticed in people who wholeheartedly love what they do, and over the years I’ve come to recognize that quality as authenticity. When Madison’s dancing, she is not only genuinely happy, she is also being fully Madison.

You can find more insights like this in my book, Take the Lead (available on Amazon).

(Flickr photo credit: yogendra174)

Is it possible that a 21^st century leadership can emerge that involves self awareness, emotional intelligence, and authenticity? Betsy Myers believes it is. 

View full article