Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Leadership Failures...Not Me, Right?

19,500,000.

That's how many results Google provided when I searched for the phrase "leadership failures." Wow, we must suck.

I'm Not Buying It
With all due respect, I have not given up on the notion of good leadership. Yes, we struggle. I'm at the head of that line. But I for one believe it's worth it to keep trying, not because I have to, but because I actually believe leadership is a noble role.

Now before your eyes roll into the back of your head, consider this: How many times have you complained about a decision a leader made in your company, or social club, or sports team? How many times have you felt that you could do a better job than someone else in a leadership role? Have you seen leaders lose their way because the pressure of the job was too much for them?

Leadership isn't easy. There is often so much criticism directed at these people that we miss what the impact is on them as human beings.

Leadership ages people. Don't believe me? Take a look at the before and after pictures of American Presidents. Sure, that's an extreme example, but the reality is leadership can wear people out.

Nowhere To Go But Up
If then, the pit is so deep, it seems to me we only have one option: start climbing. With all of the chatter about failing and whether or not it is in vogue to openly discuss it, I say who cares. People are going to fail, and that includes leaders. That includes me.

But the true champions will keep pushing forward and try to improve. Even if it means they have to check their ego at the door. I hate it when I have to do that...but I've gotten pretty good at it.

How About You
So why in the world do we stay in these positions? What could possibly be the draw that brings us back over and over again? Easy, we have the privilege to help others do incredible things in their work every day. Now that is something to be thankful for.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.



photo credit #1  photo credit #2 

7 comments:

  1. Good Morning Jay,

    As staggering as that number is- I believe it. I don't believe that is applies to people like you that recognize your flaws and keep on striving for a better day in leadership. It mostly applies to what I have experienced-which is the flaw-less, employee abusing, hierarchical, I think I the s*** leaders of the world.

    Those few or many (depending on who you speak to) are the ones that make it bad for everyone. My vantage point says there are less of your kind and more of the 19,500,000. I could be wrong, but I think many would agree.

    I commend you for admitting that you are a work in progress from where you sit. It is refreshing and I'm sure your team respects you for your humility.

    Best Regards,

    Janine

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    1. Thanks Janine. God forbid I ever believe I'm at the top of my game. We can always get better!

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  2. Great post Jay....I agree 100% with Janine. Personally, I would respect working for a leader who recognizes that they "are a work in progress" and has the humility to reach out to their team vs. burying their insecurities and using a dictatorial style.

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    1. Many thanks Scott. Since it's Thanksgiving, I thought a piece of humble pie was appropriate!

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  3. You are forever serving up a piece of humble pie. Today we all just got a bigger slice.

    We are all works in progress. I kind of get on my "everyone sucks" soap box every once in awhile, but even I recognize my own need to evolve and become better.

    Have a good one!

    Janine

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  4. Great information there, I have always wondered the right way to go about this, thanks for showing me! I believe it. I don't believe that is applies to people like you that recognize your flaws and keep on striving for a better day in leadership. It mostly applies to what I have experienced-which is the flaw-less, employee abusing, hierarchical.
    Human Resources Consultants

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    1. Thanks for the comment. This is a difficult topic to say the least.

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