Do you follow any thought leaders* for counsel and insight? What happens if he or she has failed in their leadership? Can that person still speak into your issues, or do you turn elsewhere?
For some that may depend on their sector and the type of failure . . . and what affect the failure is considered to have on the leader. For example, in Christian circles, failure is often the “kiss of death” for a leader; in the financial world an ethical violation or fiscal misrepresentation will end any respect.
Less often, I fear, do people perceive the benefit of failure that results in even more reason to seek that leader’s counsel. Where am I going with this?
An example may be seen in the repentant embezzler who speaks out on the lack of ethical oversight in his industry that allowed his actions. Another may be the pastor who has gone through reconciliation from an affair who now counsels men on strengthening their marriage.
Many are the quotes of leaders who state that failure strengthens leadership – even tempers it; making it stand the test of time and providing learning moments from which others can profit. One such quote I embrace is Teddy Roosevelt’s, “Failure is the backdoor to success” . . . apparently his success came on the shoulders of his failures.
We won’t accept pharmaceuticals without thorough R&D and lengthy testing, so why would we accept leadership ideas or direction from someone who has never been through the trials and fire of failure?
We won’t accept pharmaceuticals without thorough R&D and lengthy testing, so why would we accept leadership ideas or direction from someone who has never been through the trials and fire of failure?
Perhaps next time you interview someone for a position or a project, see if they’ve been tried by fire – and ask them to share their most beneficial failure.
Has your thought leader failed? It may be even more reason to seek them out . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment