Leadership Lesson – Page 2 – Doug Dickerson on Leadership

The Centrality of Trust in Leadership

Posted November 30, 2022January 13, 2023
by admin

Trust is the lubrication that makes it possible for organizations to work. – Warren Bennis

There is an old story of a father who took his young son out and stood him on the railing of the back porch. He then went down, stood on the lawn, and encouraged the little fellow to jump into his arms. “I’ll catch you,” the father said confidently. After a lot of coaxing, the little boy finally made the leap. When he did, the father stepped back and let the child fall to the ground. He then picked his son up, dusted him off, and dried his tears.

“Let that be a lesson,” he said sternly, “Don’t ever trust anyone.”

While that’s a harsh way to teach a lesson about trust, the foundations of trust – what it is, what it means to be trustworthy, is something that needs to be taught at an early age.

An article in studyfinds.org found that the average American has five people in their life they have a strong relationship with and can lean on for anything. From finding someone who is trustworthy or a good listener to finding someone loyal, nearly three-quarters of respondents to a survey agree that strong partnerships help simplify the complexities of life.

While it may appear, at least on the surface, that most people have at least five people in their circle that they can trust or confide in – is the circle far-reaching enough to include the workplace and other areas critical to the success of a leader?

With trust as the focal point of your leadership, there is the potential for great opportunity and success. While trust does not guarantee this success, one thing is certain, there will never be success without it.

How then does a leader make trust the center point of his or her leadership? What does it look like? Why does it matter? Take these points into consideration.

Trust is an inside job first

In order to be a trusted leader, you first have to be trustworthy. Being trustworthy is an inside job. It’s the bedrock of your character and the needle of your moral compass. Trust is developed over time and is an integral part of your character development. Before you are a trusted leader externally, you first have to develop it on the inside. Click To Tweet

Trust is a validation

It’s commonly said that trust has to be earned. And while that is true in many respects, I see trust more as a validation that it’s been seen and observed over time, and has been recognized as a reliable character trait of the leader. When your trust has been validated by the people you lead, you now have the opportunity to lead them with a greater purpose.

Trust is verifiable

Making trust the central point in your leadership also makes it verifiable. Trust is validated not by your words but by your actions. As a leader, this is crucial. Nothing will cause your people to lose confidence in your leadership more than being unreliable and creating uncertainty in their minds about your ability to deliver on what you say. If trust is a validation of your leadership, it’s verified by your daily decisions and actions.

Trust is fragile

While no leader in good faith sets out to purposefully violate his or her trust, it must be handled with care. No leader is perfect and even the best mess up. Unrealistic expectations can be hard to manage, and trust is not exclusive to only the leader. Trust is a two-way street that all must be striving for and protect. The expectation of trust in the leader ought to be the standard for all. Click To Tweet

Final Thoughts

“Character makes trust possible, and trust is the foundation of leadership,” says John Maxwell. I agree. Trust is the glue that holds it all together and as a leader, it must take center stage in your leadership.

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7 Characteristics of a Teachable Leader – Part Two: Are You Teachable?

Posted October 10, 2022
by admin

Happiness is always on the other side of being teachable. – Shannon L. Alder

In part one of this series, I shared the story of a master martial artist who asked Bruce Less to teach him everything he knew about martial arts. Bruce held up two cups, both filled with liquid. “The first cup” Bruce said, “represents all your knowledge about martial arts. The second cup represents all my knowledge about martial arts. If you want to fill your cup with my knowledge, you must first empty your cup of your knowledge.”

And this is, in part, the secret to being a teachable leader. The significant point is that you must make space for new learning and applications in an ever-changing world.

In review, in part one of this series, I shared the roadblocks that prevent us from being teachable. Here they are: you don’t place value on personal growth, you become defensive, you don’t listen, you don’t seek out wise counsel, you deflect and compare yourself to others, and you’re stuck and haven’t grown as much as you can.

Any combination of the above can be detrimental to being teachable as a leader and prevent future growth. Let’s now take a look at seven characteristics that make you a teachable leader.

You’re humble

This is one of the most important characteristics of being teachable. Arrogance will close your mind, humility will open it. Humility allows you to see yourself in realistic terms. It enables you to recognize your limitations while empowering you to rise above them.

Humility causes you to recognize that there is always something new to learn, that there is always someone to learn from, and that being teachable is a matter of possessing the right attitude. Click To Tweet

You’re curious

Your curiosity, perhaps more than anything else, will cause you to be teachable. With curiosity, there is no limit to your learning. So long as you embrace curiosity the sky is the limit to your learning.

Walt Disney said, “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” What new paths are you on?

You’re proactive

There’s a big difference between the learning required of you – as in work-related continuing education- and the learning that you initiate. Part of being teachable is being proactive enough to see where you are and where you want to be and taking the initiative of the learning required to go there.

You’re open to correction

John Wooden said, “A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment.” And the opposite is also true – a teachable leader is one who can receive correction without becoming defensive or resentful.

Being teachable is an act of humility and when received in the spirit in which it’s given (preferably done the right way), it can have lasting benefits to your leadership. Do you receive correction and seek to learn from it or do you resent it?

You’re OK with failing

Some might be surprised by my inclusion of failing on the list of characteristics of being teachable. But I think it’s a valuable piece of the learning and teaching process. Failure is the price of learning and much of our learning comes through failing. It’s the reason why we have to be comfortable with it.

We don’t embrace failure for the sake of making excuses and staying where we are. We embrace it because we are trying to move forward and be better tomorrow than we are today. Click To Tweet Being teachable is all about embracing those difficult moments and turning them into positives.

You’re discontent with the status quo

The more you learn and are able to translate that learning into practical workable applications to life, it will create within you discontent for where you are and it will increase your desire to learn even more.

This is an upside to being teachable in that you discover it has rewards and benefits that impact your leadership today and into the future. When you combine being teachable with being discontent it will take you to new places in your leadership.

You’re growing

This is the natural by-product of being a teachable leader – you’re growing. And your personal growth and development will translate into greater influence in ways you may never have imagined without it.

If you want to grow as a leader, increase your reach and impact, and become all that you were created to be, then you and I must always be teachable.

Are you a teachable leader?

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How Anxiety Impacts Your Leadership – Part One: Is it a Lion or Not?

Posted September 12, 2022
by admin

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength. -Charles Spurgeon

In the book Canoeing the Mountains, Tod Bolsinger shares how when a herd of impala in the brutal African heat find a watering hole they rush to drink, crowding in, fearful of not getting enough water to sustain them. Suddenly, one impala raises his head in high alert. Immediately every other impala stops drinking and stands at attention. At that moment, every impala has a life-or-death decision to make: Is this a lion or not?

If there is a lion lurking near that hole and they don’t run, they become lion lunch. If there’s no lion lurking near the spot and they do run, they lose their place at the watering hole and could die of thirst.

If there is a lion and they run, or if there is no lion and they don’t run, they live another day. But all that matters is: Is that a lion or not? Everything in their impala being is focused on making that crucial life-and-death decision. Just like they do every day. Numerous times a day.

Part of what helps the impala make that decision is the herd energy, the animal anxiety that permeates the group and causes them to share listening, hearing, and deciding together.

Over the course of the past few years, no doubt you’ve experienced a lot of anxiety. And hopefully, along the way, you’ve learned from it as well.

Here’s another observation from Bolsinger about anxiety. He writes, “Anxiety isn’t a bad thing; it’s a creaturely thing. It just is. We feel anxious when we are reacting to a threat, whether real or imagined. Sometimes the anxiety is a gift that tells us that something bad is threatening the clan.” Think “mama bear” parental instincts.

And so for all the desire to rid ourselves of anxiety, perhaps there is a greater purpose to discover. Here are a few questions for consideration.

Are you basing decisions on fear or facts?

As a leader, you need to be grounded in facts when making decisions. When fearful and anxious we tend to be more reactionary than normal. In those moments, access the threat – perceived or real, and then proceed

Is there really a threat or is it something made up?

It could be that the anxiety you feel is an actual threat that you need to deal with. But nothing could be worse for the health of your organization than wasting time and energy responding to a threat that was only the by-product of someone’s overactive imagination.

Your leadership instincts are important and knowing how anxiety impacts it is as well. You will lead people with varying degrees of anxiety and how they deal with it will also vary. Click To Tweet Here is a truth you need to remember – people who are overly anxious do not always make the best decisions. When facing high levels of anxiety, Bolsinger says that people will react in one of three ways: We fight, we flee, we freeze. We run from danger and leave the others to fight the lions alone. Or we capitulate and allow the herd to be overrun. We turn on each other instead of working together.

Final Thoughts

Your leadership instincts are important and knowing how anxiety impacts it is as well. Anxiety can devastate your leadership and your organization or you can learn to use it to your advantage. But one thing is unavoidable as a leader – you will deal with it. But one thing is unavoidable as a leader – you will deal with it. And in those moments when it really counts and so much is on the line – you will need to determine whether it’s a lion or not.

Next week in part two of this series, I will outline some practical steps you can take in your leadership to help those around you by not allowing anxiety to paralyze your organization or your leadership.

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Don’t Forget The Small Things

Posted July 22, 2022
by admin

Be faithful in the small things because it is in them that your strength lies. – Mother Teresa

In the final pages of his great epic The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien writes of his heroes, Sam and Frodo, and their desperate quest to reach the cursed Mount Doom to cast the ring of power, a device that held much of the dark lord Sauron’s power, into the fire and destroy it. As they came closer to the mountain, their situation grew more desperate.

They were wasting away physically, Frodo’s spirit was failing, and their quest seemed hopeless. In a key moment, Sam attempts to encourage Frodo by asking him if he remembers the taste of strawberries and cream, the sound of water, and the beauties of spring in their far-off home, the Shire.

The lesson here is as powerful as it is simple – we must not forget the small and meaningful things in life that we often take for granted. In life, we are so busy and the “tyranny of the urgent” often crowds out what’s truly important.

In leadership, remembering the small things is also a necessity. The small things that leaders do are what make them great leaders. So, let’s examine some of the small things that yield great returns.

Mind your manners

It should go without saying, but I’m saying it, leaders must mind their manners. Common courtesies of respect matter. It may seem like a small thing to you but people see, hear, and notice when you use your manners and in particular when you don’t.

Give credit, take the blame

Little things like giving credit or praising the work of others are one of the most honorable things you can do as a leader. Take responsibility when things go wrong, and give credit to others when things go well.

Listen more, talk less

You will be more effective as a leader when you understand the value of listening more than speaking. Often, it’s not what you have to say that’s so important, but what you need to hear that will make you a better leader.

Put your phone away

It will be hard for you to be in the moment and for your people to believe that you matter to them if you are constantly toggling between them and your phone. This is not just common courtesy, it’s a matter of respect.

Walk humbly

Never allow yourself to get so proud and “successful” that you forget what the struggle was like when you started out and what the struggle is like for those following your footsteps. You can be a great resource and help others but not if you are haughty or prideful.

Remain teachable

John Wooden said it well, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” This is timeless advice. You will never know it all so never stop learning.

Laugh at yourself

Life’s too short to be taken so seriously. Learn how to laugh at yourself. You’ll feel better and it will endear you to those already laughing at you.

Be reliable

Nothing will frustrate the people you lead more than not being reliable. If your people are unsure about you as a leader they will be unsure about where you are leading them.

Keep your word

It’s a simple rule of leadership. If your people can trust you they won’t follow you.

Be Generous

Leaders lead by example – be generous with your time, your talents, and your treasure. Every day strive to make the world a better place because you are in it.

Final Thoughts

“Character demonstrates itself in trifles,” said Louise Imogen Guiney, and while it might seem small to you, the small things add up and your leadership depends on it. Don’t forget the small things.

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The Power of Your Tribe: Who Belongs In It and Why

Posted July 14, 2022July 14, 2022
by admin

Some people will hear you louder in silence. Those are your tribe- they’ll get you through the tough days and give you something to laugh about on the way. – Nikki Rowe

In one of Shakespeare’s most famous monologues, the Crispen’s Day speech from Henry V, King Henry inspires his soldiers in the face of grim odds with a rousing speech about how the men who fight this battle with him will be forever united as a “band of brothers.” This is a king speaking to peasants, and yet he’s saying that what they are about to go through will unite them all as brothers.

We don’t always get to choose the battles life throws our way, but we do choose our response. And just as important, we choose the tribe we run with.

While you may not always have control over the people who surround you in your organization, you do choose your inner circle in life that has a way of completing you. These are the people that walk with you through the good and bad and are there when the dust settles and the smoke clears.

Finding friends and acquaintances is not hard work for the most part, but your tribe is a different breed of people that you discover along the way. Who are they? What are their characteristics?

Charlie “Tremendous” Jones once said, “You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” And to that, I would include those who you make part of your tribe. So let’s find out who belongs in your tribe.

Your tribe sees the best in you and keeps you humble; they see the worst in you and still love you

This characteristic of people in your tribe is so important. And quite frankly, you wouldn’t have much of a tribe without them.

They will be quick to celebrate your accomplishments and wins. And when you feel like you’re invincible they will keep you grounded by not being overly impressed by you. When they see you at your worst they will have your back, speak the truth you need to hear, and will walk patiently with you.

In your tribe you need loyalty.

With your tribe, you share common values

While it’s common to have many friends and acquaintances, not all of them will share your values and priorities. It’s not a deal-breaker in terms of friendship, but in your tribe, you need those who share and understand the values that drive you and the priorities that guide you.

When the bond among your tribe is driven by shared values it provides the clarity that you need. When your people understand the significance of your priorities it keeps everyone focused and accountable. It’s why knowing who belongs in your tribe, and those who don’t, is so important. While many may be impressed with what you’re doing and where you’re going, not all are willing to make the sacrifices and pay the same price as you to go there. Click To Tweet

In your tribe you need purpose.

With your tribe, you travel higher and farther

With a shared mindset and values, your growth potential is multiplied. It’s why each person must find their tribe. You can only travel so far by yourself but can travel higher and farther when part of a tribe of like-minded people.

When you are committed to your personal growth and are surrounded by those who share that passion you position yourself and your tribe for greater opportunities and greater impact. Pick your tribe wisely because with them you can go far, but the wrong tribe will hold you back.

In your tribe you need clarity.

With your tribe, you have greater balance and perspective

As you settle in with your tribe of like-minded people, you begin to develop a certain vibe and develop an understanding that is the product of being in a genuine relationship. Over time, you begin to know one another better, and before too long a comradery forms that Shakespeare wrote about.

One of the great benefits of finding your tribe is that those people bring balance and perspective to your life that you may not have with anyone else. Having a close tribe is a game-changer and one that every leader should seek.

In your tribe you need community.

Final Thoughts

Having a tribe of like-minded people is one of the most consequential things you can have as a leader. But you must be intentional in finding them. When it’s built on loyalty, purpose, clarity, and community you will be part of a powerful community.

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How Our Fears Hold Us Back

Posted October 11, 2021
by admin

Always do what you are afraid to do. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Living near the coast in South Carolina, I love the water. I love to swim. But getting there was anything but a pleasant journey.

It all started with my swim lessons at the local YMCA when I was a little boy. My mom took me to my lessons each week. They taught me all the basics of how to swim, tread water, etc. But, I still had a lingering fear of the water that was hard to overcome.

The lessons were going well until they weren’t. In order to pass, you had to jump off the diving board into the deep end of the water. Well, let’s just say that I don’t have a certificate from the YMCA certifying that I learned how to swim.

In my late teens, I’m with some friends in Nassau. We had enjoyed a full day of fun at the beach which included some snorkeling. Not paying attention to how long I had been in the water, I had grown tired and was trying to make my way back to the shore. I got caught up in the wake of a passing boat and I was just too tired to continue.

Struggling desperately to tread water, I began to panic. I knew for sure that I was moments away from drowning. Thankfully, one of my friends spotted me and realized what was happening, and came to my aid.

Later in life, I knew that to overcome those lingering fears I would have to do something bold in order to overcome it. The time had come to face my fear head-on. I signed up for scuba diving lessons. I took and passed the course, having gone through all the paces with my divemaster in the cool spring waters in Florida.

In leadership, you will face many fears and challenges that will come your way. We all do. As a leader, you do not want fear to hold you back. So how do we keep that from happening? How do you know when fear is holding you back? Here are a few ways to know.

Fear is holding you back when you exaggerate your problems

Every leader I know faces challenges and obstacles. It comes with the territory. But when you allow fear to magnify them beyond what they truly are then you are allowing fear to win. Make it a point to surround yourself with people who will help you put things in perspective. See the challenge for what it is but don’t allow fear to make more out of it than what’s there.

Fear is holding you back when you entertain negative attitudes

When negative attitudes infiltrate our minds or come to us from the people around us, it can cause fear to be present. Negative attitudes feed our worst fears. It magnifies our problems, displaces hope, and diminishes confidence. This is why you must approach the challenges to your leadership based on sound judgment and a proper perspective and not one based on fear and negative attitudes.

Fear is holding you back when you are unwilling to take risks

Here’s a sad truth – many leaders never reach the full potential of their leadership and giftedness because they’d rather play it safe and settle than take a risk. This not only hurts you but caps the potential of the people and organization you lead. Fear is one of the leading causes of dreams being deferred and goals being unattained. You certainly don’t want to throw caution to the wind and be careless, but you will never be all you can be until you decide fear is not going to hold you back any longer.

Fear is holding you back when you don’t embrace it

I know this sounds like a contradiction of everything you’ve just read, but fear can be a healthy thing when channeled properly. It’s only when you acknowledge your fear, confront it, and resolve to not let it control your life that you will overcome it. Your fears exist for a reason and so it’s not good to always dismiss them out-of-hand. Discover the underlying reasons for it and act accordingly. Don’t be afraid of fear – figure it out and move forward.

Final Thoughts

Christian Nestell Bovee said, “We fear things in proportion to our ignorance of them”. And that’s why we must not be afraid to confront our fears or allow them to hold us back. Move forward in faith and with a confidence that comes not from a fear of jumping off the diving board but fear of missing out on the wonders beneath the ocean.

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Getting Unstuck: Four Principles to Change Your Leadership: Part Two- Be Patient

Posted July 19, 2021
by admin

Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears – Barbara Johnson

A story is told of two frogs that fell into a tub of cream. One looked at the high sides of the tub which were too difficult to crawl over and said, “It is hopeless.” So he resigned himself to death, relaxed, and sank to the bottom. The other one was determined to keep swimming as long as he could. “Something might happen,” he said. He kept kicking and churning, and finally, he found himself on a solid platform of butter and jumped to safety.

Like the two frogs, there are times as leaders when we find ourselves stuck and looking for a way out without sinking.

In part one of this series Getting Unstuck, I wrote about the need to be present in those times of being stuck. It goes against the grain in terms of what we want to do because we want to get unstuck as quickly as possible to move on to the next thing. But sometimes we need to embrace the moment and use it wisely to see why we are stuck and what we can learn from it going forward.

Right now in your leadership, you may feel you are stuck. In this fog, you feel like you’ve lost your edge and creative juices. You may not be able to put your finger on it, but you know something doesn’t feel right. If you’ve been there you know what I’m talking about. So let’s explore the second principle for getting unstuck and see what we can learn and apply that will help.

Be Patient – This won’t last forever

If by chance you are wired like I am, patience is not one of your finer qualities. I wish it were not true, but it is. I hate sitting in traffic, I hate waiting in line- especially for ice cream. I hate meetings that crawl along and are going nowhere – all the while sitting there thinking of all the things I could be doing. I’m not alone, am I?

That all being said, there’s one thing I’ve learned after several decades in leadership: being stuck is not permanent. Be patient. This won’t last forever.

When we are stuck, we tend to magnify the situation and feel like we will never find our way out of our funk. It’s why being present in the moment that I wrote about in part one is so important. We want to get unstuck as quickly as we can and get moving. But being present in our stuck moments can be a valuable time of growth and that takes patience.

When we are present in the moment and exercise patience, we eventually begin to see not only what’s at work around us, but more importantly, what’s going on within us. First and foremost, leadership is an inside job. And when we are stuck, we must take the time for self-reflection. Click To Tweet

What’s got you stuck today? Is it a lack of clarity that you need or an attitude that’s gone awry? Have you cut yourself off from people you need to listen to and those who can hold you accountable? It can be any number of factors, but know this- it’s in your patience and being in the moment that will eventually move you forward.

Final Thoughts

Being stuck is no fun. What’s worse is squandering the moment and not learning from it. Allow yourself to be present at the moment and be patient. You will come through this if you keep your heart and attitude right.

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Elevating Your Leadership Influence

Posted January 19, 2021
by admin

Think twice before you speak because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another. – Napoleon Hill

One day a farmer grabbed his shotgun to shoot at a flock of pesky crows. Unfortunately, he didn’t see his sociable parrot that had joined the crows. After firing a few shots, he walked over to the fallen birds and was surprised to find his parrot badly ruffled with a broken wing.

When the farmer’s children saw the injured bird, they asked, “Dad, what happened?” The farmer simply replied, “Bad company.”

In leadership, one of the greatest responsibilities you have is to add value to your people and to increase the level of your influence in a positive way. As a leader, this ought to be top of mind in your thinking, but also in your actions. Are they lining up?

As you consider how to elevate your leadership influence, perhaps a good place to start is with these questions.

Are you investing in yourself as a leader?

After 30+ years in leadership here’s what I have learned – growing as a leader is a lifelong process. There’s never been a time in which I can say that I’ve learned it all. Before you can be a leader of influence in the life of those around you, you must first invest in your own personal growth and development as a leader. You have to grow yourself before you can grow others. Click To Tweet

Do you see the intrinsic value and worth of the people you lead?

It’s a simple leadership principle but one that needs to be established – if you don’t place value in the people that you lead, you will be unable to add value to them. Not everyone you lead has the same potential, but everyone has potential. Make sure that you value and respect the people that you lead, if not, your influence will be marginal at best.

Are you aware of the power of your words and actions?

The overwhelming influence you have as a leader comes from your words and actions. There’s no escaping it. The Biblical advice, “…let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger…” (James 1:19) is advice we can all learn from. Your words, actions, and temperament as a leader will go a long way in determining how much influence you will ultimately have. Click To Tweet

Do you have the right motives?

In leadership, it’s important that you are using your influence for the right reasons. There’s no greater joy for a leader than to add value, build relationships, and help others grow and develop in their leadership. But sadly, not every leader has unselfish motives. Your influence as a leader is proportional to your motives and integrity.

So long as you see relationships as transactional – what’s in it for me- then your influence as a leader will be scarce and eventually people will see through it. Be genuine and authentic and your influence will increase.

Can you keep your ego in check?

I’ve said it many times over the years and it still rings true today – expressions of servant leadership are found when you concede being in the spotlight by putting someone else in it. And this cuts to the heart of what leadership is all about. The day you and I discover that it’s not about us is the day we truly understand leadership. When your influence as a leader puts someone else in the spotlight is a time of celebration, not jealousy. So long as you hold onto your ego, you will have a hard time being an influential leader.

Who’s in your circle of influence?

Elevating your leadership influence begins with identifying who is in your circle of influence and being intentional with it. Who are you reaching? How are you adding value to them? In what ways can you improve upon what you are doing? How can you expand your circle and be a more productive leader? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you increase your influence.

The Cardinal Point Leadership Podcast is coming in January 2021! The Cardinal Point Leadership Podcast is for leaders young and old. My desire is simple – to cut through the clutter and deliver leadership content that is relevant, practical, and useful. Here we will talk about leadership development, employee engagement, servant leadership, and much more.

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Recovering Humility in Leadership

Posted October 1, 2020
by admin

Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. Do you plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. – Saint Augustine

Shortly after he took over as the president of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, Booker T. Washington was walking in an exclusive section of town when he was stopped by a wealthy white woman. Not knowing the famous Mr. Washington by sight, she asked if he would like to earn a few dollars by chopping wood for her.

Because he had no pressing business at the moment, Mr. Washington smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and proceeded to do the humble chore she had requested. When he was finished, he carried the logs into the house and stacked them by the fireplace. A little girl recognized him and later revealed his identity to the lady.

The next morning the embarrassed woman went to see Mr. Washington in his office at the Institute and apologized profusely. “It’s perfectly alright madam,” he replied. “Occasionally I enjoy a little manual labor. Besides, it’s always a delight to do something for a friend.” She shook his hand and warmly reassured him that his meek and gracious attitude had endeared him and his work to her heart.

Not long afterward, she showed her admiration by persuading some wealthy acquaintances to join her in donating thousands of dollars to the Tuskegee Institute.

Have you ever had the privilege of running across a leader like this? Refreshing, isn’t it? Unfortunately, we live in a culture that’s turned toxic on many levels and the most basic virtues of leadership are diminished before our eyes on a daily basis. I submit, we can and should be better.

John Maxwell was right when he said, “If leaders can move past arrogance and work toward humility, they can become the very best.” And this is one of the greatest challenges I see in leadership today. When you see leadership as a right and not as a privilege, and when servant leadership is beneath you, then your pride will always hold you back.

In this environment in which we live, is it possible to recover one of the essential ingredients to good leadership that’s found in humility? I believe so. Here are a few ways to do it.

We must model servant leadership

The most important lesson you will learn as a leader is that it’s not about you. Your capacity to lead is proportional to your capacity to serve your people. Click To TweetThis is what allows you to be comfortable in your own skin and lead with humility. Your greatest satisfaction as a leader is found in what you can do for others, not in what they do for you.

We must remember our beginnings

I see this often with leaders. In the beginning of their careers they are finding their way and working their way up. But at some point, they forget the past, they forget the struggle, they forget the sacrifices made that got them where they are. Now they enter into a sense of entitlement having “paid their dues” so they believe that they can behave any way they want. In order to recover the virtue of humility will require a sense of remembering and gratitude in recognition of where you are today. No matter how far you’ve come, be grateful and thankful and remember it hasn’t given you the right to act like a jerk. Click To Tweet

We must remain teachable

If you are going to last as a leader you must remain teachable. The pace of information and technology in today’s global economy requires it of you. To be sure, there are bedrock principles of leadership that are timeless. But your ability to remain relevant is only guaranteed as you commit to being teachable and not falling back on what you learned in years past. Leading with humility begins the day you realize how little you know and as you commit to improving yourself daily.

Final Thoughts

As a leadership trait, humility is not to be mistaken for a sign of weakness. Rick Warren put it this way, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” And herein lies the leadership secret of humility. It’s being secure in your power to not abuse it, secure enough in your position without flaunting it, and secure enough in your title that nothing is beneath you.

We’ve seen the abuses of power and the destruction it leaves. Perhaps now it’s time to see a return to humility in leadership.

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Leadership In The Era of The Partisan Divide

Posted September 23, 2020
by admin

Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies. – Groucho Marx

An elderly gentleman was sitting on a park bench, basking in the sun when another elderly man sat down next to him. They looked at each other for a moment but did not speak. Both men sat there, staring straight ahead.

After a while, one of them heaved a big, heartfelt sigh.

The other jumped up immediately and said, “If you’re going to talk politics, I’m leaving.”

Leadership in the best of times can be difficult. John Maxwell eloquently put it this way, “Sometimes, leadershi[p sucks.” Can you relate?

Being a leader during an election cycle such as we are in now has the potential to create a toxic environment in your workplace. Chances are, you have already experienced it on some level. And while people can be very passionate about their views, how you tread these waters as a leader can be tricky. Side with group A and you alienate those in group B. Side with group B and you alienate those in group A – and back and forth it goes.

Here’s the reality – everyone has a set of political beliefs that they subscribe to and regardless of those beliefs, everyone’s views ought to be respected. No one’s morals should be called into question regardless of who they support or oppose and no one should be punished because of it.

As a leader, how you position yourself among your people during this time is important. Some leaders within their organizations opt to stay out of it. Others jump right in. But in the context of the effects on your culture and relationships, what’s a good approach? Here are a few tips.

Foster a culture of acceptance

How you model acceptance is important. Our diversity is our greatest asset. We are better for it. There ought to be room for differing views without fear of repercussion. Click To Tweet As for your workplace culture, acceptance fosters relationships that lift and unites, never tearing down. It’s not unreasonable to expect that people with differing political views can work together for the good of the organization.

Promote meaningful dialogue

So long as we are shouting over one another, the partisan divide will always exist. Meaningful dialogue with an emphasis on asking questions and listening will go a long way in building bridges rather than tearing them down. Your workplace culture ought not to be a place where your people dread going during this election season. It ought to be a place for meaningful conversations. Click To Tweet

Always protect your culture

While it may be wishful thinking that all conversations are meaningful between your people and everyone is accepting of the views of their colleagues – all it takes is one, two, or more to upend your culture and wreak havoc in your workplace. These people can be toxic to your culture and the consequences can be detrimental. Above all else, you must protect your culture.

Final Thoughts

While it’s important that we accept the views of others and that we aim for meaningful conversations, we must also bear in mind that not everyone cares to participate in these exchanges in your workplace. Believe it or not, there are those who are just as passionate about their politics as you, just not as vocal. They just choose not to constantly talk about it or post their opinions all over social media. That has to be respected as well.

Leading in the era of the partisan divides doesn’t have to be destructive, but it will take strong leadership to pull it off.

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