I am a big believer in the power of failure to shape and
mold a leader into a more proficient person.
If as a leader we aren’t failing, then we probably aren’t trying
anything worthy of following. Failures
are the anvil on which our leadership potential is hammered out. However, there are a few failings that I
believe, if aren’t corrected, will eventually erode potential and make illegitimate
supposed success.
1.)
Failing
to be Sensitive to the Needs of the Family:
Most leaders feel the constant pressure to perform and produce. Unfortunately, succumbing to that pressure
often leads to a great strain upon the family.
Families suffer when success is placed over the stability of the
household. A leader must be sensitive to
the family, carving out strategic time for children and emotional availability
to the spouse. Failing to listen to the
family may produce quantifiable results in your field of leadership, but it
leaves in its wake a whole host of regrets and pain.
2.)
Failing to Ask for Help: Most leaders feel the need to portray an “I
got this” attitude. They feel that
strong leaders cannot be vulnerable. Any
organization worth leading can’t be led by one person. We are by nature limited. We encounter (or should) situations outside
our proficiencies. Sometimes the very
weight of responsibility is far too heavy to carry on our own. Leaders must be willing to let down the
guard. They must be willing to recognize
that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness but a sign of integrity that
often garners the respect of those being led.
3.)
Failing to Identify Strong Mentors: Let me help you out leader… “You are not the
greatest leader ever to step foot on the planet….You have much to learn.” Each of us must have voices that we trust and
that intentionally speak into our lives.
We need those that will challenge us in areas where we are slipping
(especially as it pertains to character), those that will ask probing
questions, those we trust to hold us accountable in all areas of our
lives. Strong mentors play a vital role in
refining our character, our proficiencies, our attitudes, and our
potential.
4.)
Failing to be Consistent: A leader who wears two faces is a poser. Leaders will often master the art of
appearing one way in public and another in private. Those in the private spaces of life are those
that most often suffer. A true leader is
one that is the same in whatever places they find themselves. They are consistent. They have integrity. Producing results and leading people to
accomplish something larger than themselves are two different things. Any poser can produce results. However, only one who is authentic, genuine,
and consistent can lead people well, leaving a legacy of which they can be proud.
5.)
Failing to be Patient: Potential, promise, and preparedness aren’t
the same. Leaders often stand out in
organizations. If not careful, they can
fall prey to the rock star pressure or the poster child syndrome. Organizations can put pressure on promising
leaders to step into roles that they are not prepared for nor adequately
equipped to succeed. However, because they
are considered rock stars and promoted as poster children, such pressure
strokes the ego and causes the leader to give in, even when patience, learning,
and waiting would have been the best option.
A true leader knows the power of discerning the time.
6.)
Failing to Learn from our Failing: This is huge!
Failure as a leader is inevitable.
If you think you can lead your whole life and never fail, you will have
a stroke by 40. No, accept it. You will fail. And remember those failures can be an anvil on
which our potential is hammered out.
However, if we are bound to repeat our failures, attempting to do the
same things over and over believing “this time it will work,” we will undermine
the power of failure. Our lives will
erode. No matter how much potential you
have, it will be wasted. Acknowledge
failure. Name the failure. Learn from the failure. Move on toward a better outcome!
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