Leadership

Positions and titles can cloud the judgment of leaders.  Often when leaders reach a certain level, or status, they seem to think they are required to independently have all the answers.  It is like they believe that with the title comes the obligation to immediately have the correct answer to every question.  They put undue pressure on themselves to respond with authority, even when they may not be confident of the answer.  Great leaders do not fall in the trap of this kind of thinking.  They know that quality leadership requires a decision making process.  That process may require time, and it may involve other resources.  Good decision making does not come as the result of a title or a position, but is the result of experience, wisdom, and thoughtful processing of the circumstances.  Making the ultimate decision is different from feeling like you must have an immediate answer in every circumstance.  Great leaders are always prepared to step up and make a decision, but in doing so, they know they don’t have to respond immediately or have all the answers themselves.  They know to consult experts, conduct research and fully consider all options.  Our responsibility as leaders is to make sound, well thought out, and rational decisions, not to simply provide an answer.