Leadership … Continued Discussion 4/20/09

In this post I want to focus on a leadership quote that is one of my absolute favorites.  The quote is from Stephen Covey and it reads as follows, ” A leader is the one who climbs the tallest tree, surveys the entire situation, and yells, ‘wrong jungle!'”

As part of leading the way, a leader needs to be able to flat out acknowledge when a change in direction is needed … even if that is an admission that his/her previous direction was off target.  Having the confidence in oneself to flag an error to others and to fully embrace the highest tenets of leadership in the process is a supreme leadership trait in my mind.  I have known those who do it easily and consistently, but I have also known those who are adept at cover-up and finger pointing … willing to do seemingly anything needed to avoid the appearance of having erred.

Pointing to oneself when yelling “wrong jungle” is a higher level of transparency … one that makes employers and Boards of Directors believe in and trust those in command.  It is also what makes a staff and others want to follow that leader no matter what.  Pointing proactively to oneself in these instances not only sets the example but also speaks loudly to the philosophy that mistakes and errors in judgment will occur … no matter who is making the call, and that one simply needs to learn from those mistakes and errors and plot the better course.

This is not at all about having erred or not.  It is about focusing on success and adapting and adjusting accordingly.  It is about learning from mistakes and altering the course to ensure ultimate success.  And this is where some folks get it wrong … their focus is more on themselves than the goals and people entrusted to them.  And in focusing on themselves, they abuse their powers of leadership and ultimately imperil their ability to lead.

Leaders may call the shots, but it is the total team that transforms intentions into achievements.  And total teams only evolve where true leaders reside …  where truth, honesty, transparency and the golden rule are embraced top – down.

Author Cross-references:

Stephen Covey: None

Key Word Cross-references:

Adaptability/Change: Also see post 1/14/09, 1/6/10, 3/12/10

Inclusive/Open/Honest/Transparent: Also see posts 12/12/08, 5/1/09, 7/7/09, 8/3/09, 10/26/09, 11/11/09, 1/29/10, 2/24/10, 5/26/10

Team: Also see posts 1/13/09, 2/18/09, 8/3/09, 1/6/10, 4/19/10, 5/26/10

Tags: Leadership