Good Monday morning to you all! I am guessing some of you are off work for President's Day, while others of you are sitting at your desk! Wherever you are, be the best you, you can be, And don't be afraid to admit when you haven't been! I read this interesting excerpt this morning.
What makes someone a strong leader? One characteristic that is often overlooked is humility. The best managers acknowledge their weaknesses and aren’t afraid to show their vulnerabilities. It’s tempting to want colleagues to see you only at your best, but that’s a bad way to lead. For one thing, it’s unsustainable. We’re all human, and we all make mistakes. Sooner or later, you will, too. For another, leading is about connecting. People will follow you, work hard for you, and sacrifice for you if they feel connected to you. And they won’t feel that way if you only let them see what you think will impress them. So don’t be afraid to own up to the areas where you aren’t perfect. If it helps, think of it this way: You aren’t weak; you have weaknesses. There is a difference
Years ago when I was coaching high school football, we had a rule of no cursing in practice. If a player cursed, he had to run a lap. One day I got a little over-excited and a word slipped out of my lips that shouldn't have. Immediately a bunch of kids excitedly yelled, "Run a lap, Coach!." Which I did without comment, When I finished, another coach grabbed me and was livid. His reason? We were adults, and the same rules didn't apply to us.
I've made plenty of mistakes in leadership decisions. I would contend running that lap was not one of them. You want to be a great leader? Don't be above admitting your mistakes. It will take you a long way down the road to being a respected and effective leader of men and women.