At the Vistage Executive Summit in Los Angeles, speaker Mike Maddock asked us to identify which we were. When I turned to a couple of CEO’s I knew well and asked them which they were, one of them laughed and said, “you already know.” And indeed, I did know. They were both ringleaders. I’m asking you the same question.
What is an Idea Monkey? According to Maddock, “Idea Monkeys are artists, innovators, engineers and scientists. They are dreamers and believers. They are curious, hardworking and grateful. To Idea Monkeys everything is possible and every challenge is merely an idea waiting to happen. “*
And a Ringleader? “A (Ring)leader knows how to awaken and manage an Idea Monkey. A committed (Ring) leader ensures laser focus to make sure only the best ideas survive. (Ring) leaders also know how to lead, nurture, encourage and seize opportunity.”*
Why does this matter? Hardly a Vistage meeting goes by without someone asking if they have the right people on the bus in the right seats. That is not just true in my Vistage meetings, but almost every Vistage meeting, every month, in 16 countries. In any organization, we need to really understand our capabilities and those of our team in order to achieve our goals and ambitions.
Start with yourself. Then look at your team. You need ideas and execution. You can get better at either of these things, but you won’t be a natural at both. Get real about who is a natural at strategy and ideas, and who is great about execution. Then get going!
*Quotes and illustration from freetheideadmonkey.com