Chatting with Rotarian John Finlayson (right) is Putnam's Chet Marshall.

February 26, 2008

"Even the best teams need good leadership in order to work effectively," John Finlayson told Putnam Rotarians at their noon luncheon today.

The BB&T banking executive is no newcomer to leadership training. He has made the same types of motivational appeals in business contexts, with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and as a member of the Air National Guard.

"One of the best things Rotary does," he said, "is that we prepare in advance.

"We look at things a ways down the road and try to see how things will work together. We look at our people for what they are and then try to think how they will work as a team; how they will 'synergize' one another.

"I have a number of tools pictured here," he said. "I have a chainsaw, a vise and a clamp. Which of these best identifies the leadership in your club?"

"Let's try a clamp," someone suggested.

"A clamp: You need people who can bring things together and make them work together. What happens when a carpenter uses materials that really don't fit together? He ends up with a bad project."

"How about a balance?" asked another person.

"You have to have balance," Finlayson replied. "When things get out of balance, you have to shore them up. You've got to bring more strength.

"One of the hardest things I have to do is ask for volunteers," he confided.

"I try not to 'over-commit'," he said. "And sometimes we get yanked in a million different directions. You have to choose what you're going to support and give support to that project. Don't get too far out there.

"I support Rotary, but I want to strike a balance before I get so far out there that I get out of balance with my family , my business.

"What about the chain saw? 'You have to do it my way or not at all.' You have to be sensitive to that and not cut someone's legs off.

"When new members come on -- I use a 'plane' -- be very sensitive as to how you use them. Too often, we overwhelm them when they join us and after a year they're out of the club. Work them down slowly into the right fit.

"And every person brings a new background and new situation.

"Let's talk about leadership styles. That is why I use the tools to illustrate. Everybody has a different leadership style.

"A lot of people come into the job as president of Rotary, not through choice, but they've agreed to move up the ranks.

"As a leader, I sometimes don't realize that I may have offended somebody, but I've got to be willing to say 'I'm sorry. Now let's get back on the same playing field.'

"Styles are not right or wrong. Styles are different.

"Another quality is enthusiasm. There's no question that enthusiasm is contagious. A leader has to radiate that enthusiasm.

"Everyone in here joined Rotary for a different reason, and everyone got something out of Rotary that you didn't anticipate.

"Leadership -- from a team-building standpoint: expect it, live it, encourage it, appreciate it, diversify it -- diversity is so critical to our organization -- and mentor it."