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by Kris Woods
The following article is based on an interview with Jack Kahl, Chairman and CEO of Manco, Inc. October 1999. Jack met with Kristin Woods, Editor, emergingleader.com at his office at "Just Imagine Drive, in Avon, Ohio.
The moment you meet Jack Kahl, you are struck by one immediate thought - This man devours information in every thing he does. His knowledge antennae are up, grasping every bit of information as he moves, and he does not sit still easily.
There is no doubt -Jack Kahl is a life long learner....his education never ceases. He breathes every molecule of air that contains knowledge but then- he gives it away. It is the very signature of the man and it is his foundation for leadership.
When Jack was asked; "what is the key ingredient that qualified you as one of "America’s Most Admired CEO’s" in Industry Week, he responded -- I constantly practice leading edge thinking". . "And I am a teacher of practices because I am a student." Emergingleader.com then asked Jack to highlight the most important foundation for a leader to be inspirational in today’s business world: Jack responded, "Education. Education is Latin for 'draw out'. It means that within us is already the skill....education is the motivator to draw it. With education comes the knowledge to lead. A passion for the knowledge provides the inspiration."
Jack is a voracious reader, constantly refreshing his knowledge bank with a diverse range of books such as "From Mind to Market" by Roger Blackwell; "The Asian Mind Game" by Chin-Ning Chu; "Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies" by James C. Collins & Jerry I. Porras; "Secretariat: The Making of a Champion" by William Nack and "Made in America; Sam Walton, My Story" by Sam Walton.
Emergingleader.com asked if any of the "great leaders" Jack has met over the years have served as his mentors,
Jack responded: " the friends you choose must emulate your own values and I have been fortunate that leaders such as Jack Welch and Sam Walton became my friends, not my mentors, through shared visions and values. "I just so happen to be like them - I am inspirational and motivational - I know it is a gift and I never take my gift for granted". "I don’t hold my gift within - I give it away every day in every way possible".
Jack went on to say that "leaders who let their egos dictate the choices they make, stay in second and third place. Knowledge, shared values and visions keep real leaders in first place! Without the willingness to draw in new knowledge, leaders fall behind and their organizations falter with them."
When emergingleader.com asked Jack to share an example of how he draws in knowledge only to turn around and disperse it, he referenced a recent speech given by John Chambers of Cisco Systems. "John Chambers is a visionary, a brilliant mind and a brilliant orator - and I knew I could not possibly absorb all he had to say. I was too captivated to take in all the details, so I took several key Partners (Manco employees) with me, knowing that when we returned to Manco; we would collectively benefit from all the cultures and thoughts of my diverse team. We would "percolate" the thoughts as a group and I would get all I needed and our company would grow through the shared knowledge. Leaders must be willing to share knowledge, not to hoard it for their own selfish needs. "
Jack went on to add that speed is the competitive advantage he and other leaders must deal with today. "We are in a revolution - a transition where education and knowledge are the only tools that will keep you from failing - from falling in to the fray of "the land of behind".
"If a leader does not constantly learn - study.. not daily, but by the moment - there will not be enough time to plan and the plan will become nothing more than a reaction to change." Jack compared the business environment to his method of investing. "I am a long term investor. I don’t speculate on stocks, instead I study the failures and learn from them and apply the principles to my business decisions". "I draw knowledge from every experience I have - every day."
When asked if other CEO’s consider Jack’s philosophy as "a bit corny and too basic", he said "Yes, I am better accepted in Silicone Valley because 'Jack’s tools' (knowledge and people) and 'Jack’s speed' could kill most other companies. "When a leader walks away from his/her fundamental values, it appears too basic. We want to study leadership and make it complex, difficult to absorb and too cumbersome to impart to others. The Jack Kahl method is basic and lethal because it is practiced - not lectured."
Emergingleader.com asked Jack how he views the age of the internet and its high grade technology to leadership and he responded "I think it is so important that I have hired a coach to bring me current with the new technology. I have always recognized its value to our organization and our customers, but I have not really taken advantage of technology personally. I will now, because I want to be able to communicate with my grandchildren and they are already becoming technologically savvy!
When asked "If you could summarize leadership in one sentence, what would you say"? Jack Kahl responded...."That is very simple - Somebody (a person) that you willingly want to follow. There you have it - Jack Kahl, leader extraordinaire and his vision, his values and his future - knowledge.
Key Note: Every Manco Partner meeting is closed with the Manco cheer. This is a bonding of spirit among a group of people who walk to the same beat with their leader. Emergingleader.com offers this cheer in recognition of the dynamic and vibrant style that so sets apart Jack Kahl. Let it serve as a stimulator to your own leadership style.
| Give me an M! (audience response: M!)
Give me an A! (audience response: A!) Give me an N! (audience response N!) Give me a C! (audience response: C!) Give me an O! (audience response: O!) |
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- Excerpt from a recent article by Industry Week on September 20, 1999 titled "On Competition's Cutting Edge" which featured Jack Kahl
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Jack's Biography / photograph
- Jack's Reading List
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