6 Steps to Avoid Unwise Leadership Choices

When you looked in the mirror this morning, was there more gray hair? If we have hair at all, we should be grateful. But I wonder if the years and experience it took to get gray hair has the value it deserves.

Since I do have gray hair - and the aches in my body say I've earned each one - here's my thought.  Gray hair represents wisdom...which comes from a sum of a few concepts.  Is there connection amongst these words?

• wisdom
• information
• knowledge
• experience
• understanding
• data

Here's where I landed.

The highest form of knowledge for a human person is wisdom.  To be "wise" is to have combined two basic categories; 

1. knowledge, that has been acquired and learned from the vast collection of data and information, and 
2. understanding, that has been forged from experiences and trials.  

Those two combine to make a person wise.
Which inversely means then, that even a very learned scholar with many degrees could score high in knowledge and information...but not be wise since there is no experience or understanding to temper it.

And the reverse is also true. An experienced person with much "hands on" history can be unwise without current or well-rounded information.

Therefore, Wisdom = Knowledge + Understanding

For wise leadership to forge your organization ahead, finding that balance and diversity then, is critical.


Here are 6 Steps to help you identify a wise team player...

1. A DEGREE  Degrees are good indicators that they not only obtained information, but have the "stick-ability" to finish that process. 
2. SELF-DEVELOPMENT  Look for someone who not only has a degree, but who is a consummate self-developer. They should continually be learning and adding to their knowledge base.
3. INFO FOOD  Ask what they read, watch, or listen to. Information should be a steady staple.
4. DIVERSE WORK HISTORY  Seek diversity in their experiences. Stuck in one channel or industry for too long can cause limitations or an atrophy in experiences.
5. COUNSEL IS SOUGHT  Find where they serve in capacities to offer guidance or counsel. Boards and community groups are good indicators.
6. VARIETY OF LIFE STORIES  Discuss a variety of business and life experiences. See where they've been and enjoy the ride in this conversation. This is my favorite experience with "retired" individuals.

I'm headed back to the mirror in a moment.  When I look at my reflection...I'm going to smile. Each gray hair has a story to tell. And as for those wrinkles and "crows feet?"  Moisturizer. 

(Add to this idea?  RT and let's see what combined wisdom of our peers says.)

The easiest leadership test ever

Leadership is easy to evaluate.  If a leader leads, then all that person needs to do is look over their tail.  Is somebody back there? Then you are a leader. 

But, if you look back and see no one...you were taking a stroll.  Time for some soul searching.

Leaders do not lead from within the center; those are facilitators.

Leaders do not lead from behind; those are cowards.

Leaders have a clear vision that inspires others to follow them into the fascinating unknown.

Stop for just a moment and look behind you. This is the easiest leadership test ever.

The difference between arrogant and confident is...

...well, the difference is your finger.

Not your middle finger, mind you. Although that's a dead give-a-way. But your pointer finger. It's the direction of your intent.

The direction this finger is pointed is the point. When you are focused on a customer, friend, or audience - not at yourself - and communicating with confidence you are not arrogant.  Who doesn't love it when someone makes it about others?

But when you begin focusing on yourself...repulsion enters and rots the facade.  Arrogance emits from anyone whose finger is pointed at themselves. And trust in others erodes.

Take a peek at where your finger is pointed. At others? Good for you.  At yourself? Re-boot and get over yourself (because everyone else already has). And if it's your middle finger doing the talking ... well ... that's another blog.

They love me, they love me, they ---

When the speaker got off the stage, I asked him later about how he conquered his fear of speaking.  He said, "It's simple. Before I take the stage I tell myself - They love me, they love me, they love me...they just don't know it yet!"

Wow.  Arrogant.

But I was wrong. I took that advice with me to 4000 speaking events and to my sales training.  Because it's true.

When you truly believe that someone "loves you," your confidence swells and impacts first impressions.  And within minutes "voila!" they usually do love you.  (Of course, if you love yourself more than they do they'll quit competing with you.)  Healthy confidence holding this up, is what makes it real.

This also applies to your business.  "They love doing business with you...they just don't know it yet."  So step through that door today and let them.  

Let them discover what they never knew they loved.