Red Pill Leadership: Wake up and be a better leader

Hi-Tech or “Hi-Touch”? That was the question posed in last night’s episode of The Office.

I’ll assume you saw last night’s episode (Season 4, Episode 2) but here are the basics. Ryan, the former office intern now corporate uber-manager pays a visits to the Dunder Mifflin Scranton branch. His primary purpose is to communicate the new corporate vision of using cutting-edge technology to reduce costs and become more agile. This will allow them to compete with the “big box stores”. Michael, however, is firmly against this new hi-tech approach. He prefers the “old-fashion” methods of selling and serving customers (by giving out gift baskets). Of course Michael goes on an escapade of frivolity in order to prove that the “old” way is better than the “new” way. He ultimately fails, of course, in true Michael fashion.

The episode did an amazing job at challenging the way we do work in the information age. Michael Scott said, “Life and business are about human connections.” I agree. As our organizations implement the newest technologies, we cannot lose sight of the human element. Employees and customers are people. Give these individuals the tools and technology necessary do business with you better, faster, and cheaper. However, make sure you are serving their needs personally. Make sure you have a relationship with them that transcends their email address.

Instead of sending a thank you email, mail a thank you card. Instead of sending a calendar appointment, call the person first and then send the appointment. Try to meet face to face when possible. While at lunch with an employee or client, turn off your Blackberry. Focus on the person you are with at the moment. Try to find ways that add a personal touch to your business.

Despite the advances in technology we are still human. Go cutting-edge. Go bleeding-edge. Just don’t forget your employees and customers in the process. It is possible to be both hi-tech and “hi-touch”. I don’t believe it is an “either/or” proposition.

I leave you with another Michael Scott quote from last night’s show. After imparting great wisdom about life and business being about the human connection he states, “Computers are about trying to murder you in a lake.” Typical Michael Scott.