Cannabis leadership lessons from Queen Elizabeth II
Style and grace matters in all walks of life
ts true. Hear me out. Along with billions of people globally, I watched with some interest (and a smidgen of pathos) the funeral of her majesty. (Though Canadian I am not a Monarchist. However, I could give you a rousing off-key rendition of God Save the Queen).
Management gurus talk about what leaders should do to be more effective. Examples that come to mind include clarifying your strategy and fixing employee engagement. Less discussed is how leaders should conduct themselves in their senior roles. In other words, what should their modus operandi be.
It was QE2’s governing style that made her a respected, popular and trusted leader, through some very tumultuous times and a variety of political interlocutors. Conversely, poor working and communication habits typifies many cannabis executives, hindering their performance, not to mention sabotaging their firms.
QE2’s 70-year reign provide some transcendent lessons for cannabis leaders having a tough go or experiencing a credibility and trust gap with employees, investors, suppliers and regulators. These lessons include:
1. Bring dignity & accessibility to the position – The Queen was a well-loved paragon of virtue who respected the dignity and tradition of her office. Many cannabis leaders would be wise to honour their position - and think twice about extravagant pay packages & perks, autocratic management styles and vainglorious behaviors. Moreover, acting as an imperial leader disconnects them from operations, customers and suppliers and is not ideal from a management perspective. To quote her majesty, “I have to be seen to be believed.”
2. Keep on mission – The Queen understood her mission and the role of the monarchy. Staying in her lane made her an effective and experienced counsel who was above politics. On the other hand, many cannabis leaders become ineffective when they stray from their designated roles & responsibilities, or in when they use political scheming to manage others and serve their personal ends.
3. Lead by example & inspiration – QE2 was always aware that she was a role model for all citizens. Her work ethic up until the last couple of weeks (she was 96!) was more than impressive. Despite functioning in a bubble, she was a thoroughly modern yet practical leader, saying, “I know of no single formula for success. But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together.” Would many cannabis leaders echo and really live these words? Fact is, poor leadership modelling and hubris is at the root of the cultural toxicity found in many cannabis organizations. You reap what you sow, as they say.
Style can trump substance. RIP QE2
#leadership #management #QE2 #QueenElizabeth