For the background of this list – see my post from 2-10-12.

The #23 Rap Lyric that shaped my leadership style comes from KRS-One and Boogie Down Productions song “Love’s Gonna Get’cha”:

“ya know a lot of people believe that that word Love is real soft, but
when you use it in your vocabulary like your addicted to it it sneaks right
up and takes you right out.

So, for future reference remember it’s alright to like or want a
material item, but when you fall in love with it and you start scheming and
carrying on for it, just remember, it’s gonna get’cha”

To often in my career I see really, really talented people who cross a line trying to go after titles.  They go beyond the normal self-building, and get into a game of sabotaging and tearing down of others as they aspire up the corporate ladder.  It took me a long time to learn that the title played a far less role in your ability to influence, than your actual ability to influence.

In HR we have a saying that is used frequently called “Up and Out”.  This refers to individuals who rise so quickly, or for the wrong reasons, in our organizations that they surpass their ability to do the actual title they’ve reached.  Move up to quickly, and you get moved out.   I don’t think I’ve ever found a good way to slow these people down, who aspire to be a VP before 30, etc.  There is no good way to tell them, slow down, you’ll be better for it.  For every example of a failure I have for them, they have an example of someone who did it and made it.   I try to tell them I was them once – I had the goal of VP by 35 and made some bad career moves to try and scale that wall, but it makes no difference – they’re (I) was different.  I eventually got my title at 39 – and by then, I had stopped looking for it…

So, remember, only love something that is suppose to be loved – your family, your friends, your peace in the world.  Loving material things like money, title, etc., never ends well.