Management mentors

How many times have you read or heard someone say, "you are capable, you have the power and you can make a difference without toeing the corporate line"?

Do you read or listen with cynicism and think, "sure, that's easy for you to say" or perhaps the common variant "it's not that easy," or even worse "well maybe some people can do that, but not me."

I am tempted to say shame on you for your cynicism. I want to express my disappointment at your lack of self-confidence and self-belief. I might want to articulate how wrong you are to think, it's only for other people.

But I won't. I live, as each of you do, in the real world. Spreading happy thoughts and wishing for a better world doesn't work. We must accept the world we live in and act accordingly.

It doesn't matter how many clever words of persuasion are written, nor how many terrific tools and techniques you are offered, it won't matter a jot, not without some supporting facts.

You must believe it is possible not just in theory but in practice, that the sacrifices you will make will be worth it and you need to be made aware of those other people that have successfully gone before you.

Now, success is an important point to consider here. Think about it, if you could make a real difference that would positively affect lives, how many lives would there have to be?

Is it only worth doing if you change the world? How about a continent or maybe just your country? Would it be worth it if you could influence your business community for the better, or maybe your office?

Would it be worth it if it made a difference to your family or even just you?

Only you can decide on a number, but as I think you will come to find out, the people who really succeed in making a difference don't really care about numbers. Leave the numbers to the accountants, what you need is passion.

You can't start without a passion; without a real desire and belief in your ability to create a positive legacy. That takes both courage and passion. People won't fall at your feet hailing you as some Messiah; more likely you will encounter derision or worse still, indifference.

Is that enough to put you off? Yes, it may well be. Would it help to know that some, now, very successful people faced exactly the same things when starting out?

Starting this month is a new section on Management-Issues called Management Mentors. You will find interviews with successful and courageous people that have gone before you, starting this month with Andrew J 'Flip' Filipowski.

Over the coming months you will discover individuals, who will testify to the problems and the hard roads, and did it anyway; some by building empires, others by building communities and some just by giving birth to new perspectives that others find useful. You won't often hear them attest to any particular talents or traits. These men and women often seem faintly embarrassed at their success and tend, if anything, to downplay their achievements.

Does this sound like you as you are today? If they have done it, can't you?

If you have read all the words and heard all the lines and wondered, in hope, if it is really possible; if you have a special talent or innovation that you have so far failed to ignite… it looks like you are all out of excuses.

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• Rene, great interview and an excellent point. Trying to conform in all matters when it just ain't in you is the quickest way to an ulcer as well as a poor performance review.

  There are issues that are critical to company culture and task performance, there are things that help make it easier to work with others, then there is what Emerson would call "a foolish consistency"- which is "the hobgoblin of small minds".

  Use what makes you special, try not to morally offend your co-workers if you can possibly help it and muddle on through!

  Wayne Turmel, The Cranky Middle Manager Show www.thepodcastnetwork.com/cmm