You've got to eat while you dream. You've got to deliver on short-range commitments, while you develop a long-range strategy and vision and implement it. The success of doing both. Walking and chewing gum if you will. Getting it done in the short-range, and delivering a long-range plan, and executing on that.
As leaders, we owe it to every employee to let them know where they stand in the organization.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Leaders have a responsibility to communicate transparently with employees about their status and role within the organization.
This quote emphasizes the vital role of communication in leadership. Jack Welch suggests that effective leaders must ensure that every employee understands their position within the organization, fostering a sense of clarity and belonging. This transparency not only boosts morale but also enhances productivity, as employees are more likely to feel valued and understand their contributions to the team's overall success.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a team meeting, to encourage open dialogue, a manager could use this quote to highlight the importance of employee feedback.
More from Jack Welch
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Control your own destiny or someone else will.
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An overburdened, overstretched executive is the best executive, because he or she doesn't have the time to meddle, to deal in trivia, to bother people.
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The time has come when we must proceed with the business of carrying the war to the enemy, not permitting the greater portion of our armed forces and our valuable material to be immobilized within the continental United States.
I believe we need leaders who actually want to lead everyone.
When it was reported to General Washington that the army was frequently indulging in swearing, he immediately sent out the following order: The general is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing - a vice little known heretofore in the American army - is growing into fashion. Let the men and officers reflect "that we can not hope for the blessing of heaven on our army if we insult it by our impiety and folly."
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.