When people think of a maverick, they typically consider someone who breaks the rules and perhaps is a bit of a rebel. The first “maverick,” in fact, was a rancher in the early 19th century called Samuel Maverick. This Maverick refused to brand his cattle like the other ranchers, thus his last name became synonymous with being independently minded.
I never thought of myself as a rebel until I looked back on my career in business over three decades. That’s when I realized that I am a maverick when it comes to leadership —and proud of it.
I don’t break rules, but I am independently minded when it comes to business advice. Leadership and business management may be taught in business schools as a complex subject, however to me it’s very straightforward and pragmatic. Success comes down to practical experience, proven ways of doing things, and down-to earth fundamentals. Some think that this kind of leadership advice is being a maverick – I think it’s being honest!
This doesn’t mean that it is easy. Good management, effective leadership, running a business – this is all hard work. There’s no magic solution. You just have to work hard, be disciplined, and be serious about what you’re doing.
Here’s the other ways I’ve become a business maverick:
What Makes a Maverick Leader?
A Maverick Puts People in the Right Jobs
The business world is full of people who don’t “fit” their job. As a result, too many are unhappy. They drag their feet into work each day and employers are frustrated by lack of engagement and productivity.
Making the correct people decisions (selection, promotion, re-assigning, etc.) is key to successful managerial and executive careers. You can apply all the HR tools you want, but my advice is to use your own experience in selection and recruitment to direct people to the right job. Some like to clean windows, some like to lead companies, and some want to spend their time in an office doing programming. If someone is not working in their area of talent, then that’s when things go wrong. Do it for the benefit of the team, and do it to give those you employ internal peace of mind.
A Maverick Faces Their Customers
This is where I really become a maverick – or a rebel with a cause. Too many companies today hide behind their social media tools, customer surveys, or an 800 number. They consciously make a decision in the boardroom to do this instead of speaking to their customers. Facing customers can seem risky to some, but it is far more risky NOT to face your customers. When I look at the number of companies today that don’t talk with their customers directly, I realize how much of a maverick I really am!
A Maverick Leads A Balanced Life
Popular culture these days likes to show men and women working 60 hours a week, constantly on their phones, barely sleeping, and never taking a vacation. I do not share this point of view – which definitely makes me an independent thinker (or a maverick)! I sincerely believe that doing more is never the answer. If you are working 60 hours a week, you won’t have the creativity and energy to do a good job, to grow your business, or sustain success.
A Maverick Uses Common Sense Versus Rare Sense
Common sense is highly underrated. People are always looking for complex answers. When I tell them the answer is right in front of them, they wonder why it seems so simple. But often the answer is just common sense. Sure, you can analyze a situation from all angles, apply various methodologies, and use a range of processes and evaluation tools. In the end I often advise, “just exercise some common sense.”
For example, I’ve been at companies where sales have declined because they’ve given up on finding the right sales manager. But if sales are declining and you have no sales manager, it's just common sense to devote energy and time to finding the right person. They will then make sure sales are managed 5 days a week, 52 weeks of the year!
A Maverick Has Straight Conversations
Knowing when (and how) to speak honestly about an issue is a rare commodity these days. You have to choose your moment and your words, but I will always give an honest opinion and recommendations when asked – whether I’m telling someone to invest in growth or close a division.
You Can’t Beat the Fundamentals of Leadership and Business!
In the end, my focus on the fundamentals is probably what makes me a maverick leader. I’m not selling “ten secrets of business success” or telling you anything that hasn’t been said before. But I am telling it to you in plain language, and in ways you can put to use right away. After 350 consulting assignments over 19 years, I find that most CEOs and entrepreneurs are best to go back to what I call the "basics” of how to run a healthy, profitable company. In these days of complexity, buzz words and instant gratification – that is maverick leadership.
Hugh Latif’s maverick approach to running business with a practical, common sense approach has helped hundreds of CEOs, general managers and entrepreneurs manage productivity. Find out more about his new book Maverick Leadership.