In my book, 360 Degree CEO, I highlight CEOs that generate profits while living with passion and principles. Earlier in my career, I witnessed a hallmark of a 360 degree leader or CEO.
I was in a large ballroom in Toronto at an annual meeting for the TD Bank executive group. When you looked across the room at our group of 100 or so, you saw a sea of navy and gray suits.
At the front of the room stood CEO, Ed Clark. We talked about profits, growth numbers, predictions, and customer feedback.
But then Ed stood on the stage and said, “In this organization, I’ve talked to people and discovered that it is not comfortable to work here if you’re different. It’s not comfortable to work here if you are part of the LGBT group. That’s not the kind of company that I want to lead.”
You could hear a pin drop. At that time, over 70 percent of the people in the room were white males, probably higher than that.
Ed took a stand on something that he felt personally strong about. He took a risky position within his organization and he took a risky position in the market. Not long after, TD Bank began supporting the Pride Parade.
360 Degrees CEOs are willing to compromise people’s impressions and opinions of themselves in order to do the right thing that they believe in.
Elevate your leadership performance by learning from some of the best. Pick up a copy of my book, The 360 Degree CEO: Generating Profits While Leading and Living with Passion and Principles available on Amazon.
My clients accelerate their results – increasing profitability, leadership performance, innovation, and accountability. I would love to discuss how I might contribute to your accountability culture. Contact me today.
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© 2018 Lorraine A. Moore. All rights reserved. Permission granted to excerpt or reprint with attribution.