Be a common, regular person.
When you look at the life and career of Richard Branson, from the outside the comment that one of the 10 keys to success is to be common person, almost seems the opposite of who Branson is; who most would consider anything but common.
In his eyes, I really believe he thinks of himself as a regular guy. One of the reasons for that is he always is willing to hang out with the regular people that work with him.
Herb Kelleher had a similar trait with his people at Southwest Airlines (LUV). He would also hang out after hours; where they went and what liked to do. Branson did the same.
He would rub shoulders with them at work or play. It was never something he considered would make him less in the eyes of his workers. On the contrary, he said that it made him seem all the more human and normal to them. That's one of the keys that made him approachable.
That's a key area I believe that is important in letting people know we're simply people like them. Not only because it's a good thing to do, but when you're approachable, it also offers opportunities to tap into the power and insight that your people have.
They will be more willing to tell you when things can go wrong and let you know the best way to go ahead with the future. Nobody knows a business better than the people that work in it. I think this is a vastly underrated attitude that more business leaders need to incorporate into their lives. It has been shown by those that live this way and have this attitude that it can pay great dividends while making the workplace a much better place to be at for our people.
Other Richard Branson Resources:
Richard Branson's Virgin Success
Thoroughly postmodern billionaire
Richard Branson's latest adventure will take Virgin into space
Richard Branson - Life - Philanthropy - Money
Richard Branson, Business Personality
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