Real Leaders Fox-Proof Their Organisations.
A little back yard wisdom from the old neighbourhood by Colin Pearce.

© 2003 Colin Pearce

Excerpted from ‘The Fox-Proof Chook House – How to make sure little things don’t mess up your life.’

Imagine your life or your organisation as a back yard chook house in a high density fox area.

Real Leaders know they can build a Chook House out of anything: Palings, old fencing iron and recycled nails are as good for making a shelter as a shiny new chook house from the fodder store. Real leaders know to be successful they don’t need a wealthy family heritage, the toffiest address, or the richest clients. They can build a reliable sustainable customer focussed business with the barest essentials. They have a healthy self esteem about who they are and how much their people and their customers know, need and love them. Consider Mother Teresa.

Real Leaders pay more attention to what is in their Chook House and how fox proof it is than what it looks like: Although there is no excuse for a slobby image, real leaders know customers are more impressed by honesty and delivery on promises than fancy leather chairs in the waiting room and glossy calling cards.

Real Leaders don’t build where there are foxes: They make smart choices. They hire according to character not image. They build wealth slowly. They manage cash flow, stock-turn and margin. They are unimpressed by gross income. They manage risk. They avoid litigation. They live generously.

Real Leaders lock the Chook House door: Nothing invites foxes more than a lack of duty and care. Real Leaders get their Values, Beliefs and Boundaries set out in writing and teach them to their people. Then they stick to them, no matter what.

Real Leaders don’t get bitten if a fox gets in: Foxes seem to get into every chook house sooner or later. Doors get left open, the shed shifts on its foundations, and even enemies open the door. Sometimes you are so dumb you leave the door open yourself. When it happens you need to be too tough for the fox to get his teeth into. Bunch up. Present only feathers and bony bits. Don’t let the fox bite your tasty bits. And realise that optimism, resilience, alertness and self respect will see you through.

If Real Leaders get bitten, they don’t bleed too much: Real Leaders pay attention to all the vital signs in their enterprise so little bites and nicks don’t become life ebbing flows. They make sure petty disasters and daily crises don’t become a way of life. Real leaders do what is needed to placate disappointed customers fast. They stop leaks early.

If Real Leaders get bitten, they don’t flap and squawk: Real leaders run a reality check over their troubles and traumas. When troubles pile up as they sometimes do they keep a balanced and sane view. Real leaders don’t run about sacking and abusing people. They realise that traumas come and go. They do what it takes to keep out of court, to stay out of the headlines in the papers, and make sure they maintain their good name.