LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
www.comms-dealer.com
Lessons from Pharaohs
WORKSHOP
Each stage is unique and
In the third of a series of monthly winning (formula)
addresses the human challenges
articles by leadership and business growth
along the way, from recruitment
to resignation, cynicism to sickness,
specialists TWF (Northern), Chris Morrisey discusses
complacency to commitment.
leadership and the link with Ancient Egypt.
Each stage builds on the next,
resulting ultimately in Stage 6
when you (the business pharaoh)
can look to your people and
know that, collectively and
he Great Pyramid at Giza, One which differentiates clearly individually, they are all playing
T
built for King Khufi in circa from other organisations in their
Chris Morrisey
a personal part on the journey.
2,589 BC, is the last one chosen marketplace. They often
of the ‘Seven Wonders wish to create a truly outstanding workforce connected to an The Kings and Queens of Ancient
of the World’ still surviving. The business, where above average organisation with new, ambitious Egypt recognised fairly quickly that
largest pyramid ever built by any growth becomes the norm. Like and dynamic leadership. They are everyone needed to understand
of the Egyptian Pharaohs, it was, the pyramid, the organisation often asked to trust their business their contribution to the building
at the time of its completion, and is designed for the living. For leader, and their managers. of the pyramid. This involved
still is today, the largest stone people to say, ‘we built that’. understanding the importance of
structure ever built. Eighty other Leading others through their input and, more importantly,
similar monuments still stand Leap of faith the six people stages their behaviour and the activities
today, which is a testament to Whether in ancient times or today The pyramid building journey they would have to carry out on a
the ambition of the Pharaohs and in business, ‘leading people involved six key phases or daily basis that would help them
the dedication and work ethic into the unknown’ is a journey ‘people challenges’. We to achieve success. Whether you
of the people of Ancient Egypt. with important and unexpected know from our own work with were a stone mason, a carpenter,
similarities. For example, very growing organisations over a farmer or an administrator,
But how were they built? And what few Egyptians had previous the years that the business everyone understood their unique
lessons can business leaders take experience of building a pyramid. growth journey also involves six contribution. The same applies to
from the pyramid builders? A lot It could take 20 years to build sequential ‘people stages’. employees in your organisation.
more than you might first think. the pyramid and the workforce Everyone needs to understand
There are many parallels to the would constantly change over 1. Research: Focuses on the their role in your success.
pyramid building journey of the the lifespan of the construction. size of the opportunity.
Pharaohs, and the journey faced Similarly, very few business leaders
2. Strategy: Looks at the production
The growth journey
by business leaders today. Both have experience and knowledge
of a ‘Blueprint for success’.
The ‘growth journey’ is surprising to
involve the initial development in the unique dynamics of growing
3. Engagement: Concentrates
some people, challenging to many
of a ‘vision’ by a single person. a business. It’s quite common for
on achieving ‘buy-in’ to
and rewarding to everyone. It is a
In the Egyptian Kingdom this them to readily admit that they
the plans for growth.
dynamic and demanding process,
was the Pharaoh’s responsibility, are experiencing the ‘growth giving people the opportunity
and in the commercial world of journey’ for the first time.
4. Motivation: Focuses on
to explore new possibilities and
today this belongs to the chief
creating a performance
achieve their full potential, whatever
executive, managing director, Building the pyramid also involved
culture performance.
that may be, while helping the
owner manager or entrepreneur. asking other people to take a
5. Development: Examines
organisation grow and prosper. It is
leap of faith in the ‘possible’, to
systems, processes and people.
often viewed by ambitious business
In the case of the Pharaoh, the trust the leader (the Pharaoh), 6. Ownership: Focuses on leaders as a never-ending journey.
‘vision’ was to create a monument, his High Officials and the journey. ‘individual contribution’ to Success and growth feed the need
one which could transfer them to This also applies today to any the plans for growth. for more success and growth. And
the New World and also benefit your people will love being on it.
their people. Long after they
had gone their pyramid would What can you do?
be recognised as a dynamic You can take a leaf out of the
place to visit, to relax with others ‘Book of Pharaohs’ and produce
and to worship. It was designed a vision of your own, describing
for the living, whatever their the type of pyramid you want to
status in Egyptian society, not build. You can also create the
just the dead. The people would type of journey you want to take
proudly say ‘we built that’. your people on. Enlist and energise
them. Make the journey worthwhile
The ‘vision’ of today’s forward and safely navigate them through
thinking business leader is to build the six stages.
n
a solid and successful organisation.
For the Pharaohs, the ‘vision’ was to create a monument
www.the-winning-formula.com
CN awards open for entries www.cnawards.com
42 COMMS DEALER MARCH 2010 www.comms-dealer.com
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52