Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Leading and Hard Truths

Part of the leader's job is to remind us of hard truths. It is to wave away the spells cast by wishful thinking and to state what we know in our hearts but are reluctant to acknowledge.

When leaders fulfill this responsibility, they must avoid any cheap tricks, such as straw man arguments, and instead put forward what may seem to be an unpopular position. The leader who is in tune with the followers, however, will know that what is voiced is what is commonly thought and that the others have been waiting for those words.

Watch the reaction around the room. Once the leader has stated the previously unspoken thought, you will sense the relief. The truth has been spoken and nothing will ever again be quite the same.

2 comments:

Wally Bock said...

Congratulations! This post was selected as one of the five best independent business blog posts of the week in my Three Star Leadership Midweek Review of the Business Blogs.

http://blog.threestarleadership.com/2010/08/18/81810-midweek-look-at-the-independent-business-blogs.aspx

Wally Bock

Michael Wade said...

Wally,

Thanks! Knowing the high quality of your selections, that is indeed an honor.

Michael