Roman emperor and stoic philosopher, Marcus Aurelius wrote that something that appears difficult to one person should not be considered to be impossible for someone else to accomplish. Herein lies one of the secrets of Great Leaders, the recognition that leadership carries with it the responsibility for finding a way to get things done.
While weak leaders give up and make excuses for not completing what they set out to do, Great Leaders see the opportunities that are presented by difficult challenges. Great Leaders
- acknowledge what has not worked in the past without dwelling on the past
- embrace non-traditional thinking and the possibilities that this offers
- recognize that just because something does not work, the effort does not represent a failure, it simply moves everything one step closer to success
- continue to search for solutions until they find the one that leads to success
My first agency manager, Ray, repeatedly told us that getting knocked down did not mean you had failed. Failure only occurred when you refused to get back up and try again. Great Leaders know this; and, because they know and BELIEVE this, they do not fear setbacks; they do not fear trying something that is not a “guaranteed sure thing”; they do not hesitate to try something new. They know that hard work and effort will result in success. They instill this belief in those who follow them. They encourage renewed effort in the face of adversity and they recognize and reward that continuing effort when it occurs.
In the end, Great Leaders find ways to do what everyone else says cannot be done. If you have had the advantage of following a Great Leader, comment here to share how that person inspired your success.
Tom Hoisington is a speaker, trainer, and author whose goal is to provide leaders and potential leaders with tools that empower them to build teams that are creative and cost effective along with a clearer understanding of how personality types interact within those teams. He can be contacted at tom.hoisington@eagleoneresources.com