I know Ray Attiyah.
We met online, have spent time together in social media chats and groups, and I have read Ray’s book, The Fearless Front Line. We have never met in real life, face to face. I still know him in some very important ways.
For one thing, Ray asks great questions and listens to the answers. He asks insightful questions online, and his book is filled with his helpful, serious, significant questions. The very first questions he asks in the introduction of his book are
Shouldn’t the time we spend at work be worth it? Shouldn’t that time be filled with a sense of purpose and accomplishment and not just packed with appointments and never-ending task lists? Shouldn’t we be energized by the efforts and successes of our work team rather than drained by them? Shouldn’t work be a time to learn, a time to engage with others to do something great, a time to be with people who enjoy what they are doing?
These are just the beginning.
Another thing I know about Ray is that he is passionate about helping organizations work well. The Fearless Front Line is filled with valuable information and solutions that build confidence. Ray is thoughtful, and not willing to allow good ideas and creative thinking to become ends in themselves. Ray has clear and practical understanding of how businesses and other organizations work, and how they can work better. Each page is a step toward his tangible vision of the time we spend at work being worth it.
The bottom line of The Fearless Front Line is that too many executives, managers, and supervisors put too much time and effort into running their organizations because they are afraid. As leaders develop the fearless culture to empower the people on the business’ front line, they are able to put more of their time and talents into improving and growing their organization.
I am still learning from The Fearless Front Line, and look forward to the next time I talk with Ray.
