Meditations On Leadership
These are my thoughts on leadership related topics and ideas. It is meant to be a sort of journal for me and if you find it useful than I am happy to have helped.
“To change ourselves effectively, we first had to change our perceptions.” ― Stephen R. Covey The following is a short story from the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. If you haven't read the 7 Habits book you should find time to read it. “Two battleships assigned to the training squadron had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather for several days. I was serving on the lead battleship and was on watch on the bridge as night fell. The visibility was poor with patchy fog, so the captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities. Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing of the bridge reported, “Light, bearing on the starboard bow.” “Is it steady or moving astern?” the captain called out. Lookout replied, “Steady, captain,” which meant we were on a dangerous collision course with that ship. The captain then called to the signalman, “Signal that ship: we are on a collision course, advise you change course 20 degrees.” Back came a signal, “Advisable for you to change course 20 degrees.” The captain said, “Send, I’m a captain, change course 20 degrees.” “I’m a seaman second class,” came the reply. “You had better change course 20 degrees.” By that time, the captain was furious. He spat out, “Send, I’m a battleship. Change course 20 degrees.” Back came the flashing light, “I’m a lighthouse.” We changed course.” I can't recommend this book enough. I have read it at least three times and I hope to read it many more. Every time I read it I learn more about the error of my ways. This book has helped me see how wrong I was about so many things. Like the captain in the story I couldn't see how wrong I was until suddenly I realized that I was like a battleship headed straight for a lighthouse. This book has helped me professionally and in my personal life. If you haven't read it I promise you won't regret reading it. Leadership LessonDon't wait for the ship to hit the lighthouse to discover that you were wrong. Just because you are the captain doesn't mean you are always right. If you "stick to your guns" all the time you run the risk of sinking the whole ship. Be humble enough to listen to others and gain insight from their perspectives.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorJ. LaVarr Roberts Archives
April 2021
Categories |