Undercover CEO

I chatted with an old colleague recently and as we swapped war stories it made me reflect on one of our last trips together. It was a short overnight road trip, here in the Midwest, to benchmark a couple of other companies in the manufacturing industry.

I sat around the table with a group of brilliant and successful executives with long laundry lists of accomplishments in finance, manufacturing, and leadership when I recognized the feeling of being grateful for such an opportunity. I settled in to shamelessly soak up any lesson I could from the great minds around me after I realized that is what everyone else at the table was there to do as well. Contributions and ideas were welcomed as though there was no division of rank in the room. By the end of the second day, I felt a bit like I was playing the role of Undercover CEO.

I came away with an exciting perspective on the dynamic of this executive meeting. Here is a peek at what I saw through the lens of Leadership Development in the role of Undercover CEO.

There was competition, but no contest.

A room of high achievers is sure to bring out the competition. The entire idea of this exercise was to share best practices. “Best Practice” is a fancy way to say, brag about what you're doing well. 

Each business presented its COVID-19 safety measures. Not surprisingly, each company handled it differently. Some took a more cautious approach than others. Surprisingly, there was no debate. No judgment. No convincing the less conservative business to do more or the most conservative business to do less. There was no winner and no loser.

There was a noticeable effort to understand each approach and reflect on how such a system would impact your own business. There was the acknowledgment that each company has different geographical hurdles, State Government approaches, sickness rates, financial restrictions, and other resources.

CEO Pro Tip: Seek to understand first. Then use what you learned to improve your performance.

There was progress, not perfection. 

One business presented an exceptionally genius idea about approaching healthcare costs—something that no one else in the room had ever discovered. If you're unfamiliar with the impact that healthcare has on your business, now is the time to start asking questions (and the time to be thankful if your employer has affordable healthcare coverage). It's an ever-growing, abstract business expense that most companies suffer without hope of improving. So let me underscore this point again: This was out-of-the-box thinking.

Another business brought a significant challenge that we were all struggling with—something that no one else in the room had to clear path to follow for resolution. When the topic was presented, you could see everyone shift in their seat; put on their thinking cap and try to make sense of the complex issue. The problem went unresolved. Interestingly the dynamic shifted; this was a problem for which they didn’t have the answer.

While the dynamic shifted, the energy didn't. Just as much effort was made to understand and explore possibilities around the idea of our progress as there was around our problem. There wasn't overwhelm or panic when the problem was identified—there was an unwavering belief that we would figure it out.

CEO Pro Tip: Progress and problem are equal—both present opportunity to move forward and should be given equal parts engagement and energy.

There was fellowship, not followership.

Most impressive was in observation of the three sets of leadership teams. Each team had a unique rhythm, and when put together—none of them conformed. There was no energy spent trying to mold another organization in such a way that it would fit into the box of another.

Because of this, collaboration was possible. Each team could join in whatever initiative served their business and leave behind those that didn't, without judgment. It was a perfect example of building a network of peers that encourages, problem solves, and grows together.

CEO Pro Tip: Surround yourself with people that share your values on ambition, achievement, and excellence. That network will push you further than you imagined possible.