Will you be qualified to do your job tomorrow?

Humility and Will

Welcome to a new edition of

“Sebastian’s Leadership Reflections”

In the pages of Jim Collins' renowned book "Good to Great," we learn about the remarkable journey of a quintessential leader named Darwin Smith, as we uncover the profound wisdom of the 5 levels of leadership, a concept illuminated by Collins.

Simplifying this paradigm, let's explore the tiers that shape exceptional leadership:

Level 1: Highly Capable Individual

This initial level celebrates your contribution through the quality of your work, driven by your innate talents and skills. Your ability to execute your tasks leaves a profound impact.

Level 2: Contributing Team Member

As you ascend, your knowledge and skills become the cornerstone for your team's success. Your effectiveness within the team structure is what drives collective achievements.

Level 3: Competent Manager

With growth, you embrace the role of orchestrating resources and goals to steer your team towards success. Organizational alignment becomes your forte.

Level 4: Effective Leader

At this juncture, you manifest the essence of leadership by translating vision into reality. You steer your organization towards excellence, nurturing talent and preparing for the future.

Level 5: Great Leader

This pinnacle level is an embodiment of the previous stages, with an infusion of personal humility and unwavering determination. A passion for high standards, coupled with an unyielding commitment to organizational greatness, sets this level apart.

Darwin Smith, a CEO that probably none of us ever heard off, was the mastermind of the turnaround of the 100 years old company he became CEO in 1971, Kimberly-Clark, which core business was the production of coated paper.

By the time he took on the job, the company was not doing very well, with low margins and a declining stock value, so he orchestrated a remarkable transformation.

The clarity of his thinking led to conclude that the core business of Kimberly-Clark, the production of paper, was in serious decline; and what was on the rise was consumer paper products. This was a competitive space where Procter & Gamble was the leader.

Darwin Smith decided one of the most difficult actions to take as the leader of an organization, to disrupt his own business; sell the mills and enter the consumer business investing in famous brands such as Huggies and Kleenex.

Critics abounded, questioning the decision's wisdom, most business analysts criticized him heavily, calling the move a serious miscalculation, and predicting the collapse of the company. However, over his 20-year tenure, Kimberly-Clark surged ahead, surpassing Procter & Gamble in six out of eight consumer product categories, even outperforming giants like General Electric and Coca-Cola.

Smith's transformational journey was a symphony of determination, humility, and service. His focus remained on his company and its people, and his unyielding resolve echoed: "We will achieve greatness or perish."

How could such a mediocre company take on the giants of the consumer paper sector?

Darwin Smith had led the transformation of a falling industrial giant into the leader paper-based consumer-products company in the world; and still remained largely unknown.

He was a reserved man who never liked the shine spotlight on him, rather on the company and the people. His will and determination to transformed the company and turn it into a leader in the industry was only matched by the virtues of humility and service that he practiced.

The story goes that when he reflected during his retirement on his exceptional performance over 20 years as CEO, becoming number one in the industry, he simply said, “I never stopped trying to become qualified for the job.”

His reflection on never ceasing to improve resonates deeply. It showcases his self-awareness, his willingness to reflect daily on how he could become better. It echoes the importance of continuous growth and evolution.

As we navigate our own leadership journeys, let us remember the lessons embedded in Darwin Smith's story:

1. Develop Humility: Shed arrogance; focus on your team's growth.

2. Seek Help: Asking for assistance is strength, not weakness.

3. Embrace Responsibility: Own your actions and outcomes.

4. Cultivate Discipline: Stay focused, committed, and accountable.

5. Lead with Passion: Let your enthusiasm ignite greatness in others.

Smith's legacy underscores that our journey toward greatness is an ongoing process, marked by self-awareness, adaptation, and an unrelenting pursuit of qualification. As we progress in our roles, let's ask ourselves: Can we bridge the gap between today and tomorrow's expectations? Can we evolve to meet the changing demands of leadership?

In refining our ambition for greatness, it is very important to humbly acknowledge the potential pitfalls of our ego, and aspire not just to lead effectively but with humble greatness.

I like to think when I am hired for a job based on expectations and competencies… what will happen next year, and next. Should the position I’m in open for the hire of a new me tomorrow; will the job description be the same?, will the competencies and qualifications remain identical? Will there be differences? If so, what is that gap from where I am, and can I close it? How do I bridge from here to there while I continue doing my job? This is the only way to perform and evolve, both with passion and at the same time. This is part of the duality of greatness in leadership.

Until next time,

P.S. Before I go, here you have “The Treat,” where I share some of the music that kept me company while writing … Enjoy as you bid farewell to this post

Lead yourself, Learn to live. Lead others, Learn to Build.

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