Good Guy or Bad Guy - Which are you?

Photo by Clark Tibbs

GOOD GUYS AND BAD GUYS: WHICH ONE ARE YOU?

Just this morning, I ran into some previous employees.  All of the fond memories leading teams came rushing back.  I was regularly referred to as "one of the good guys" as I led a large organization for a  Fortune 500 company. That comment served as a compass for me.

This begs the question: What does it truly mean to be a good guy or gal?

Serve Laterally and Down the Organization

It's easy to serve your VP or CEO—that’s low hanging fruit. True leadership intentionally serves competitors, peers, and employees.

Practice Humility

There is nothing weak here.  Humility is about owning your failures and acknowledging others' contributions to your success. Meekness knows the strength is there and when to use it.

Leave Things Better Than You Found Them

This isn't just about leaving a legacy—it's about excellence. A person of excellence understands the importance of preserving and improving what they’ve inherited. As an old-timer told me,  “Don’t cook your seed potatoes!" Ensure there’s an excellent harvest for the future.

Believe in a Higher Accountability

For me, this belief stems from acknowledging a creator and the duty of stewardship. Inside and outside of my organization, these people are my equals. This is a serious responsibility.

Be a Hero – Willing to fight for others

I always believed that teams are worth fighting for when they are open and trying.  As your teams see your strong support, they will increasingly reach better outcomes.  They are worth fighting for.

HOW DID YOU SCORE?