Advocating for the Design and Functionality of Chair Seats
In a world where success is often measured in fleeting metrics, the "bottom of the chair" ethos stands as a beacon of humble, inclusive leadership and responsibility from the foundational level. This approach, which emphasises democratising leadership and fostering an inclusive environment, is crucial for creating a culture of excellence that supports sustainable organisational success and personal development.
The ethos is named after a carpenter who, when commissioned to make a set of chairs for a wealthy client, took great care in crafting each piece, even sanding and polishing the bottom of the chair, which the client deemed unnecessary. However, the carpenter's chairs, now outlasting both him and the client, silently bear witness to the standard he set.
This ethos encourages emotional ownership and accountability, prioritising inclusive leadership, and elevating diverse perspectives. It nurtures individual confidence and development, challenging traditional hierarchies that can stagnate learning or innovation. By instilling responsibility at all levels, this ethos creates an environment where individuals feel empowered and responsible, driving both personal growth and professional development.
For instance, a leader's role is to protect this standard, especially in the early stages of someone's professional life. This might mean giving a junior engineer the time to triple-check calculations before a project goes to build, or mentoring a young teacher to prepare lessons that go deeper than the test. When leaders insist on care in the invisible details, young employees absorb a standard that will carry through their careers.
In today's society, where mistakes can be screenshotted, archived, and resurfaced years later, making seemingly invisible flaws in work more visible, it's essential that leaders reward the invisible work, not just the visible results. Supporting young employees in this way sends two messages: first, that their work matters even when no one notices; second, that they will be judged by their own standards, not just by fleeting applause.
Conversely, when young employees see that their managers only care about the visible parts of the work, they learn to polish the surface and ignore the structure. This can lead to a rushed medical diagnosis, a poorly designed bridge, or a hastily drafted legal contract, triggering years of litigation.
In conclusion, the "bottom of the chair" ethos is a vital tool for cultivating a culture of excellence in today's fast-paced world. By democratising leadership, instilling responsibility at all levels, and fostering an inclusive environment, we can empower individuals, foster personal growth, and support sustainable organisational success.
[1] BlackRock, Inc., (2020). 2020 Letter to CEOs. [Online] Available at: https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/en-us/investor-relations/larry-fink-ceo-letter
[2] Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. (2020). The Inclusive Leader: Driving Change from the Inside Out. [Online] Available at: https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/insight/the-inclusive-leader-driving-change-from-the-inside-out
[3] National Academy of Public Administration. (2019). The Future of Governance: Leading for Results in a Rapidly Changing World. [Online] Available at: https://www.nap.edu/read/25546/chapter/1
- In line with the "bottom of the chair" ethos, leaders prioritize education-and-self-development by mentoring their teams and nurturing diverse perspectives, fostering personal-growth alongside professional development.
- This ethical approach to leadership, as showcased in the arts and lifestyle movement, emphasizes democracy and inclusivity, promoting a culture of excellence in the world that supports sustainable organizational success.
- To ensure ongoing personal-growth and sustainability in today's fast-paced world, resources such as the BlackRock's 2020 Letter to CEOs, Kellogg School of Management's The Inclusive Leader, and National Academy of Public Administration's The Future of Governance can provide valuable insights into implementing this ethos effectively.
