A lot has happened over
the last four years, especially in just the last 12 months, but what has really
changed? In some regards what is really important has not changed much at all.
The below MMM could have been written today. It was actually published four
years ago on February 6, 2017. The ingredients for great leadership have not
changed and are even more important today.
Leadership Today
After just one month of
2017 and two weeks into the term of a new President, we find our country to be
in interesting and challenging times.
Our political and social landscape is changing, seems incredibly
delicate, and is actually very contentious.
The world of social media has forever changed how information is
disseminated and opinions are formed.
That is not necessarily a change for the better. We are quick to make judgments; we fail to
research facts; we condemn too quickly.
It is way too easy to be extremist and hateful from the safety of an
iPhone or keyboard. We also think it
takes too much time to truly listen, educate ourselves and fully understand
issues. The issues are passionate,
significant ones. The extremely divided
opinions on many of these topics is both surprising and totally
understandable. But remember, varying
viewpoints, backgrounds and beliefs are what makes this country great.
What does all of this
mean for those striving to be great leaders?
Let me suggest…
·
Be
bold but thoughtful
·
Ensure
that passions and convictions are well supported by facts
·
Drawing
lines in the sand and jumping to conclusions are short sighted behaviors
·
There
is power in being positive even in debate
·
Every
thought or opinion, political or otherwise, that crosses one’s mind does not
have to be posted to social media
·
Don’t
believe, nor become enraged by, everything you read on the internet or social
media
·
Be
careful of the momentum of the bandwagon; groups with common beliefs often feed
off themselves without considering differing viewpoints
·
Most
importantly… Listen, truly listen with
the intent to understand.
