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One of the wealthiest businesspersons in the 19th Century, the steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie, knew about the importance of environment. Back in those days, well over 100 years ago, he had 43 millionaires working for him. This attracted much attention including the curiosity of a reporter who asked him why he had so many working in his company. Carnegie replied that none of them was a millionaire when he hired them.
“Then what did you do to develop them to the degree that they became so valuable to you that you could pay them so much money?” asked the reporter.
“They became millionaires through growing. You develop people in the same way you mine gold. You have to go through tons and tons of dirt to find the ounce of gold. But you don’t go in there looking for the dirt,” replied the wealthy industrialist.
Carnegie knew what he was looking for and over time, he fashioned a winning formula based on the purpose of his business. Growth is not automatic, neither is it a constant and so one has to be intentional in fostering it. The surest way to do this is by cultivating an environment in which individuals are able to contribute where they are best, without feeling the team yolk.
Alex Ferguson became Manchester United boss in 1986 and announced that they were going to knock Liverpool off their perch. Most people laughed, particularly Liverpudlian supporters as the Premier League winners score stood at 18-0, in Liverpool’s favour. His words did not do the trick, but his actions did. What he managed to do was create an environment, which would pave the way for remarkable team, club and supporters.
You are in an environment. If you desire change become part of the solution. Are you involved? As they say, talk is cheap.
I am the author of Leading Self and Others (how to make a difference where you are with what you’ve got) and Teaming with ideas (life lessons in teams- from business, sport and parkrun). You can contact me here.
