Location: Delhi, India Markets
We don't have just ONE elephant in the room, but MANY within our open office space. They aren't obvious huge "elephants" screaming for attention. Rather subtle little reminders to us daily about the importance of client service attitudes, the need to do the right thing as leaders, and true ways to focus on a broader mission in our work...and in our lives.
However minuscule these elephants appear at first glance, they symbolize much more (way beyond their physical presence)—hope, patience, survival, optimism, camaraderie, focus, and mindfulness are a few themes to start.
But so they sit.
Obvious, but not discussed.
Day after day, as people go about their business.
They stare back at us.
Until we acknowledge them—awkward as "elephants in rooms" may be.
Our Elephants
Six miniature brass elephants.
Barely more than an inch, they bring steadfastness and calmness to my current team. I brought these brass statues back from Delhi, India several times for a couple of groups and two companies. A gift. A representation. A cue to help us remember one key thing...
...to understand WHY we lead.
Not how. Our team members know HOW.
But WHY we lead.
Meet Ganesha
Whether you see yourself as a charismatic, transformational, consultative, transactional, autocratic, task-oriented, directive, innovative, commanding, laissez-faire, servant, situational or a pace-setting leader, the symbolism behind the Hindu deity Ganesha's physical features holds true in a very simple way:
Large Ears: to listen more
Small Mouth: to talk less
Big Head: to think outside the box
Small Eyes: to concentrate on the right thing
One Tusk: to retain the good, throw away the bad
Trunk: to ensure high efficiency, strength, and adaptability
Larger Stomach: to peacefully digest all good and bad in life
The Times of India shares an interesting view of the single tusk on Ganesha. In the office place, we often find ourselves in a state of duality, that of "us" and "them." Or, "me" and "other." The symbolism of Ganesha suggests that the single tusk removes all duality. We are responsible for ourselves. We're accountable to each other—no matter which office, floor, or department.
"Once we transcend this duality, we see the entire Universe as a single whole and we become aware of our true Selves. The single tusk of Ganesha symbolises this non-duality. Wisdom allows us to see all as one and ourselves an integral part of the whole." ~ Times of India
Symbolism of Elephants
In Africa, elephants are symbols of strength, wisdom, memory, patience, and intelligence. If you've traveled to the heart of Africa's land to watch elephant families, you'll see the leadership principles naturally emerge.
From the teaching of the young to find water, to the protection of the herd, the matriarch shows that each member of the herd is valued. Both parents demonstrate awareness with synchronized moments of raising their trunks to smell the air. To observe. To listen and take notice.
Using senses to their full extent, elephants are mindful creatures. The importances of stopping, of reflecting, are natural acts seen every day.
We can learn a lot about "how" to lead from elephant symbolism. As well as the purpose behind our mission.
Be Purposeful People
In Why Work, by Michael Maccoby, he speaks about the necessity of missions in business. Missions made by people.
"There are no purposeful organizations—only purposeful people," he writes.
When people are led through organizational change, they need one thing. A why. A vision. A direction. But they wait for it from the senior leader. Without the "why," the fear festers and heads underground for a period of time.
Whether fear of change, fear of the unknown, fear of new leadership or fear of losing momentum or perhaps even your job, organizational change can trigger fear. As leaders, we must unearth the fear, drive forward with change, but do so with a big ear toward listening and a simple vision to communicate, "why" we're here and moving forward in a new way.
A recent Harvard Business Review article, "Is There Too Little 'Know Why' In Business?," author Jim Heskett states, "Purpose is a powerful motivator on many levels."
And within the same article, Wisdom Chitedze explains, "The problem is we get so caught up in the nitty gritty of implementation that we forget why we are here in the first place …. 'Why' is just as important as the 'How'; they are not mutually exclusive."
So true.
Four themes for WHY we lead according to Heskett:
Discovery - for the challenge of adventure and innovation
Excellence - so that high standards aren't compromised for short-term performance
Altruism - our purpose is to serve first, and profits will follow
Heroism - grand plans to change industries and the way we live
What the Elephants in the Room Teach Us
Elephants teach us that we each have a stake in the future. The impact or results of our future are dependent upon each of us. More than goals or targets, a stake implies ownership. And just as Ganesha's trunk erases the duality of "us" and "them," so does the concept of having a "stake" in the direction:
"Stakes are not goals or outcomes. They are more foundational. Goals can be measured, achieved and checked off of a to-do list. For a leader, the goals are set in order to be true to the stake. The stake is the orientation of the leader....Stakes are the glasses leaders put onto see the world through. They bring into focus what is needed to achieve a world aligned with the stake." ~ Henry Kimsey-House
We teach our students how to develop their story as part of their career development. To find a mission. To simply define their purpose and how it aligns to company values, needs, and goals when they're interviewing.
And so too as employees, and as leaders, must we continue to write our story, our mission for why we're here. Why we come to work. Why we serve our clients. What drives our happiness. It's not just KPIs or goals or profits.
The elephants as helpers will remain in our room. We stare at the little brass ones each day. We learn that the executing of the mission starts with us.
If you don't know the organization's purpose, seek it out. Whether the mission is for discovery, altruism, excellence, or herosim, help shape it. You'll find your work is more rewarding when you have a deeper meaning for "why."
But most importantly, live it out yourself. Every day. Align yourself, your actions and your story with the "whole" of your company's vision.
And learn from the elephants in the room. Face 'em head on.
It will make a difference.
