As you examine new ways of working smarter and becoming a more inspiring leader, it’s helpful to discover and sort out the differences between activity and achievement. And, it helps to understand how management, despite the best of intentions, can get in the way of achievement by stifling motivation and productivity.

So I’m compelled to share this illustrated fable of a manager who couldn’t leave well enough alone.  It helps us look at the other side of the coin.  Knowing what to stop doing can be more valuable than pursuing the next new, new thing. By contrast, I share a shining big corporate example of how it is possible to create a culture where motivation rules.

Click on the image (or here) to view the short, PDF Slide Show.  To advance the slides, use either Enter, Page Down or your down Arrow key.

What do you think?  Have you ever felt like the ant?  Have you ever been the Lion?  Are there some things you might add to your Don’t Do It list?

The fable reminds me of a quote from a book that documented the spectacular success of Southwest Airlines titled Nuts by Kevin & Jackie Freeburg:

“If there is an overarching reason for Southwest Airline’s success, it is that the company has spent far more time since 1971 focused on loving people than on the development of new management techniques. The tragedy of our time is that we’ve got it backwards. We’ve learned to love techniques and use people.”

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While lions populated the executive suites of Southwest’s competitors, Southwest valued and thereby inspired their ants.  The rest is Wall Street history.