Our mission is to help individuals realize that through empathy and self awareness they can create positive emotional connections with others that will help them accomplish anything.
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The Day I Found a Bomb:
A Lesson in Leadership and Workplace Culture This incident didn't just shake up my day; it taught me a profound lesson about leadership and workplace culture. The Incident at JFK. I was just starting my career, working at an airline catering facility at JFK Airport in New York. One afternoon, while I was in the dispatch office, one of my favorite truck drivers, Sal, burst in with a look of sheer panic. “Mr. Delightful,” he called me (yes, that was my nickname), “you’re not going to believe this, follow me.” “Come see”, Sal insisted. The two of us ran out to a truck in the loading dock—not the wisest decision. We opened the door, and there it was: a pipe with end caps, wires sticking out, and who knows what else inside. I turned to Sal and said, “Sal, I do believe that’s a bomb.” We bolted back and called the authorities. The bomb squad, fire department, and police swarmed the area, and I even heard they shut down part of the airport for a while. Thankfully, it turned out not to be a real bomb, but it was designed to look like one. The Deeper Issue This incident led me to ask: Why would someone do this? What could drive a person to create a fake bomb and leave it in a truck? I had been at the job for about a month, but I quickly realized this was not a happy workplace. The environment was tense and toxic. People weren’t appreciated or treated well, and there were rumors of mistreatment and disrespect. This situation exemplifies a concept known as counterproductive work behavior—when employees act out or withdraw due to a negative work environment. Some might lash out, as the bomb-maker did, while others might disengage entirely, going through the motions at work without truly investing themselves. So, what can be done to prevent such situations? The answer lies in leadership. No matter your job title, from the day you start your career to the day you retire, you hold the title of Chief Climate Officer. Great leadership is about creating a positive culture and a healthy environment where people feel valued, respected, and safe. Harvard Professor Amy Edmondson calls this "psychological safety," where employees are free to be themselves and do their best work without fear of criticism or devaluation. As leaders, our greatest contribution is not just in what we do, but in the climate we create. A positive workplace culture fosters engagement, productivity, and well-being. It prevents the kind of counterproductive behavior that arises from toxic environments. Conclusion So, to all the Chief Climate Officers out there, remember: Your role in shaping the work environment is crucial. Strive to create a place where people are not only motivated to do their best work but feel genuinely happy and secure. The ripple effect of a positive workplace climate is immense, influencing not just performance, but the overall success of the organization. Go forth and make your environments marvelous!
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 Today, I had the privilege of teaching a group of young Chinese students at Oxford. One of the key areas we discussed was the art of interviewing. To illustrate my points, I shared a personal story from my early career, which left a lasting impression on both me and my students.
The Interview ExperienceWhen I was a young aspirant eager to break into the advertising industry, I landed an interview with one of the largest agencies in the world. It was a grueling process, consisting of eight interviews in a single day. Most of the interviews went smoothly, and I felt confident—until the very last one. As I entered the final interviewer’s office, I found him in the midst of a heated phone conversation. He was shouting, cursing, and clearly agitated. After slamming down the phone, he looked at me and curtly said, “Speak.” Instantly, I knew this interaction was going to be different. I thought to myself, “I’m not going to lower myself to his level.” The interview ended quickly, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. A Twist of FateFast forward 15 years, I was now in a senior position at McCann, responsible for interviewing chief executives for the combined firms we had acquired. During one such dinner with a prospective CEO, I had a startling realization—I knew this man. It was the same person who had treated me so poorly during that fateful interview years ago. Teaching MomentI posed two questions to my students:
Key Takeaways
Remember, true leadership is not just about authority; it’s about empathy, respect, and the ability to uplift those around you. |
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