Do you lead like a rich person?
–Or—
Do you lead like a poor person?
An Afghan Air Force General asked recently through his translator…
Do you lead like a rich person or a poor person?
My western mind immediately wandered to visions of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs and tried to compare their leadership styles with that of members of lower income brackets. No connection could be made. The leadership of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs alone are polar opposites, much less trying to compare them to other leaders. I was baffled by this query. I did not know how to respond.
When he saw the puzzled look on my face, he further explained the metaphor…
If you are a rich person and do not like the color of a room, you paint it…
a poor person ignores the color.
With this clarification, I realized I had completely missed the deeper meaning by focusing on money. The general’s example had nothing to do with monetary earnings, but a mindset. Are you content with the things you do not like because you think you can not change them? Or do you dedicate yourself to making positive change? Too many times our minds close when we are led down a particular road and we fail to see the deeper meaning.
Dynamic Leadership is about revolutionary change, not evolutionary progress.
A Dynamic Leader must continually search for the paradigm shift that will ensure success and positive progress. Don’t fall victim to overlooking good lessons hiding in plain sight.
So, do you lead like a rich or poor person? When you see something you do not like, do you put the in the effort to improve the situation or do you ignore it?
Dynamic Leaders believe they create their lives,
Insecure Leaders believe life happens to them.
Dynamic Leaders focus on opportunities,
Insecure Leaders spotlight obstacles.
Dynamic Leaders associate with positive, successful people,
Insecure Leaders befriend negative, unsuccessful individuals.
Dynamic Leaders choose to be compensated based on their results,
Insecure Leaders would rather be paid for their time.
Dynamic Leaders manage their assets well,
Insecure Leaders mishandle their resources.
Dynamic Leaders have the courage to overcome their fears,
Insecure Leaders let fear be their excuse.
Dynamic Leaders continually make knowledge/experience deposits in their leadership vaults,
Insecure Leaders expend more bad decisions than deposit good actions.
Dynamic Leadership is about revolutionary change, not evolutionary progress. It is a mindset of positive change which values the growth and success of everyone.
Dynamic Leaders are never satisfied until the hard changes are made and they never shy away from a challenge.
From the lesson in the initial Afghan proverb on change, ask yourself…
Do you lead like a rich person?
What characteristics can you add to the Dynamic Leader tool-kit?
Join the discussion and Tweet it with hashtag #DynLdr.
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