The Midwest is being rocked by a major snowstorm as I write. There is 18 inches of snow right off the deck in front of my living room window. I played the "author card" and stayed home from the office today, as did my two partners.
When I managed a larger company I prided myself on being the first one at work during a major blizzard. It was a random act of macho-ness and one of the few outwardly acts of macho behavior I displayed. But setting a positive example is the right way to lead.
Our "storm" culture was that you are an adult capable of making your own decisions. If you want to stay home and not drive in a blizzard that is your decision. If you want to come in that is your decision as well. Ditto when there was an approaching snowstorm. If you hate driving in snow and wanted to leave before the storm hit then you were free to go home. Or you could stay and work if you so chose. My only "rule" was that you don't come in and ask me to shut down the office because you are incapable of making your own decisions.
Some people were clearly uncomfortable with this new level of responsibility as they were raised in a culture where the school superintendent made the school closing decision. My philosophy works well in an organization where you are attempting to develop a culture of positive decision making. The new head of GM cried out this week for his own people to step up fearlessly and make decisions without regard to being fired. That is difficult if you work in a culture where you are constantly being told what to do.
I spoke via email with a friend in another Midwest state who is at work teaching the future leaders of America. His was one of the few school districts that remained open in spite of the storm. But guess who didn't show up for work today. That's right, the superintendent!
As leader you can't ask the troops to be there to teach the children while you sit at home. You have to be there to lead or else it is unacceptable leadership behavior. Leaders in the Midwest who want to keep their business open in a snowstorm need to buy a four-wheel drive vehicle, because they need to set the standard. In a car with bald tires you will not be able to lead by example.
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