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First among equals

January 3, 2021
Leadership Advisory

Personal performance in a matrix organization will be shaped by the kind of respect and deference you show toward the people who are critical to your success.  When it comes to leadership in the professional service firm, we like our leaders to take a first among equals role.

German philosopher, Immanuel Kant, said, “Always recognize that human individuals are ends, and do not use them as means to your end.”

People are ends.  Meaning, their personal development in itself is a worthy goal, to the exclusion of other goals.  Building a healthy, growing firm can also be a worthwhile exclusive goal.  Great leaders create an environment where both become possible; people realizing their potential as they cooperate with others in advancing the enterprise.

Understanding how to balance the dignity of the individual in the execution of the firms goals is the task of leaders.

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