Mind the Gap
We first met in London, a long time ago.
It was my first time there!
Londoners seemed oblivious about it… They couldn’t care less!
Me, a newcomer (neophile), eager to absorb everything my eyes would lay upon, noticed it written almost everywhere in the subway, on the pavement, on the walls, on the stairways, in the trains…...everywhere!!!
I finally understood that Mind the Gap was all about the distance between the platform and the trains. It might involve falling between or getting seriously injured!
Maybe because of its mysterious ambiguity: “Mind The Gap” or maybe because of the vowel compass, “Mind The Gap” it stood engraved in my amused brain and it pops out in the least expected situations.
Most recently, while completing the Leadership Styles Toastmaster Test……:
Congratulations, Luis, You are an Altruistic leader!!....but MIND the Gap, depending on the circumstances you might be a Democratic or even an Affiliative, and… as it is only a few points down in the possibilities list… you might be an Autocratic leader!!
What?? wasn’t the task designed to determine my leadership style???
How on god’s earth, after completing it, my leadership style is...all of them?????
Good Lord! Is it me or is it the test??
Well, following the test result (??) I am invited to tell you about my leadership style….. After I tell you my story, you will judge! Was I an Altruistic or an Autocratic leader,
Ready to listen?
Let us go back a few years and pay a historical visit to the politically agitated ’90s. Mind the Gap, it is the former century!!
A right-wing government was doing its best to close the gap to northern Europe investing in productivity.
At the same time, all the unions were doing their best to hold a nationwide strike.
The steamy, stinky, and slippery leather factoryI was leading, was fighting for its agonizing life.
With no credit or investors, money could only come from production. If it stopped by a strike or any other reason, the castle would crumble!!
Happily or not, convinced or not, motivated or not, workers were doing their part! working!
That particular day, was payday!
As usual, because we were forced to pay in cash, In the huge meeting room table, lots of small piles of money were being organized.
Unexpectedly, by the end of the morning shift, the union paid us a very aggressive visit inciting workers to immediately go on strike for better working conditions and improved salaries - and they were right - we had middle ages working conditions together with a very low payment. Also, they wanted my guarantee.
I could not do such a thing!! My role was to convince them to keep on working with their salary and within the existing working conditions.
Although the majority would prefer to continue working, they were silent! and a general strike seemed to be the most probable outcome.
Feeling my leadership seriously threatened, I invited three representatives to enter
the room where the money was, and I asked the chief account to present the group our bank statement.
Addressing the group, I told them. As you can confirm, you are looking at all the money we have.
You decide to take your salary home today and keep on working or to go on strike.
If you choose to go on strike, part of this money must be used to pay our suppliers. You won't be paid today but half of your salary.
It is getting late to start the afternoon shift, you have 20 minutes to come up with your decision and communicate it to your colleagues downstairs.
This said we left the room. I went downstairs to meet the rest of the workers and the small group was left alone conferencing.
They knew this train was traveling too fast, too far from the platform. They felt the gap. They felt as I felt, their decision would involve either falling between or getting injured.
Late that day, the workers received their full salary
The factory never stopped
From then on, I got one enjoyable relationship with the unions.
As promised dear toastmasters it is for you to evaluate what was my leadership style.
Altruistic? Autocratic? Maybe Altruiscratic?
Whatever your decision will be, Mind the Gap, It won’t involve getting injured or falling between!
