16: The Law of the Big Mo - 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

Summary

This leadership talk emphasizes the power of momentum (the 'Big Mo') as a key factor in achieving long-term success. Momentum helps leaders and teams overcome obstacles, perform better, and sustain victory. The speaker compares momentum to a train, where even massive challenges can be overcome with it. Conversely, a lack of momentum makes small problems seem insurmountable. The talk offers practical strategies for creating momentum, such as identifying motivators, eliminating obstacles, celebrating wins, and practicing character leadership. Ultimately, it encourages leaders to focus on cultivating momentum to drive success and navigate challenges effectively.

Takeaways

• 😀 Momentum is a leader’s best friend: It makes everything easier and accelerates success.
• 😀 The law of momentum sustains victories for longer, helping leaders achieve long-term success.
• 😀 Momentum can make leaders and followers look better than they really are, as it exaggerates both performance and results.
• 😀 Without momentum, even small problems can become insurmountable obstacles.
• 😀 Leaders should focus on creating momentum, as it can help solve many organizational problems.
• 😀 Managers deal mostly with problems, while leaders work on building and maintaining momentum.
• 😀 A train with momentum can crash through a concrete wall, but without momentum, even a small block can stop it—this illustrates the power of momentum.
• 😀 Creating momentum is more effective than constantly working on problems—leaders should shift their focus towards building momentum.
• 😀 Leaders are like thermostats, setting the temperature, while followers are like thermometers, simply recording it.
• 😀 To create momentum, leaders must understand its value, identify motivating factors, and remove demotivating factors in the organization.

Q & A

What is the 'Law of the Big Mo' and why is it important for leaders?

The 'Law of the Big Mo' refers to the concept of momentum being a leader's best friend. Momentum is crucial for leaders because it helps them solve problems more easily, sustain success over a longer period, and make both themselves and their followers perform better. It is the key difference between winning and losing in leadership.

How does momentum affect leaders and followers differently?

Momentum makes leaders look better than they are, and it enhances their performance. For followers, momentum allows them to perform better than they typically would. In short, momentum amplifies the capabilities of both leaders and followers, making them more effective.

What happens when there is no momentum in an organization?

When there is no momentum, leaders appear worse than they are, and followers perform poorly. Without momentum, even small problems can feel overwhelming, and the organization struggles to progress. Negative momentum can exaggerate setbacks, making them seem worse than they are.

How can momentum make solving problems easier?

Momentum helps leaders and teams solve problems with less effort. When momentum is in place, problems become smaller and easier to overcome. Without momentum, problems seem larger and more difficult to solve, which can drain energy and morale.

What is the difference between how managers and leaders deal with problems?

Managers typically focus on solving problems directly, whereas leaders work on creating momentum. Leaders know that building momentum will naturally resolve many of the issues an organization faces, while managers tend to focus on tackling individual problems as they arise.

Can you provide an example that illustrates the power of momentum in an organization?

The analogy used is that of a train. A train moving at 55 miles per hour with momentum can crash through a five-foot-thick concrete wall and keep going. However, the same train, without momentum, will be stopped by a small one-inch block. This demonstrates how momentum can help organizations overcome significant challenges, while its absence can prevent even small tasks from being completed.

What does the speaker mean when they say 'your problem is not your problem'?

The speaker is emphasizing that many problems are perceived as more significant than they actually are due to the lack of momentum. People often focus on a problem and mistakenly treat it as the primary issue, but the true problem is the absence of momentum. Without momentum, even minor problems can seem insurmountable.

How can a leader create momentum within their team or organization?

A leader can create momentum by understanding its value, identifying motivating factors, removing demotivating elements, celebrating successes with direction, recognizing key contributors, and leading with character. These steps help build and maintain momentum, which in turn drives the success of the organization.

What role does celebration play in creating momentum?

Celebration is important in maintaining momentum. When a team wins, celebrating the victory is crucial, but it is equally important to provide direction for the next steps after the celebration. This ensures that momentum continues to build, and the team remains focused on future goals.

How does a leader's character influence momentum?

A leader's character influences momentum because they set the tone for the team, especially during difficult times. Leaders with strong character continue to lead with enthusiasm and hope, even when the future looks uncertain. This attitude helps maintain momentum, as the team will follow the leader’s example of perseverance.