Turned 70 last week.
It seems like yesterday I was 18 having my first legal beer and trying to figure out life.
Newsflash, you never really figure life out. We just manage it better because of all the mistakes we make and hopefully we don’t make the same one’s twice!
Lately I have been really been questioning leadership.
During my life I have been associated with some great leaders who have made an impact on my life. What they did wasn’t earth shattering. They had the insight to see that weaknesses that I had were living in the shadow of my strengths. They made me expand my comfort zones. Sure I failed, sometimes the results were a tire fire, but more importantly I got experience in putting the fire out and making sure I didn’t start another.
The leaders that I watch are making monumental mistakes because they are playing to their strengths and never understand the tendencies that are preventing them from being really great. The result is mediocrity. You think your great, but you are not. You think your smarter, but you are not.
I never really thought of myself as a leader because if you think you are a leader chances are your not. I try to have great leadership skills, develop them and apply them in situations that I thought needed that particular skill. Sometimes the group listens, some times they don’t. What is important you stepped up out of your comfort zone, which makes you vulnerable. Some view that as a weakness, me I see it as strength.
Today, I watched a friend struggle on the golf course. This man was athlete in his day, but now after a dual knee replacement it is hard to watch. I have admiration for his determination but their comes a point when determination becomes frustration. I saw the frustration arrive in his words and actions. I know him well enough to play golf with him,socialize after golf , but to give him advice about how he should swing a golf club, well that is another level. He has a lesson or two this year, but quite frankly it was a waste. The best Coaches understand the person first. From this understanding they start their development plan. I know this because I have seen it up close and it has been a wonderful experience to see it. When you ask for a lesson it because you are looking for a solution. In reality you are vulnerable. Your exposed and are looking for a spark. I am not sure those giving the lessons understand that about their client. I have watched lessons for many years and have only seen one instructor actually write down notes and give them to the student. It is homework ! Now, is up to the student to do their homework as a path to improvement. BTW improvement is never a straight line line.
The best Coaches, business people and students are the ones who understand that information comes in and out. They are open to collaboration with others. Business people ,Coaches and students who come up short are the ones that lock the doors around them. The impact of not being exposed to the ideas of others leads to a gap in leadership and learning, which results in mediocrity. In my opinion mediocrity is built on hope, and hope is never a great strategy.
It is my desire that my friend figures it out. He has lots of golf left in him.
Until next time.
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Between The Ears 