If the Shoe Fits: a Non-typical Role Model
by Miki SaxonA Friday series exploring Startups and the people who make them go. Read all If the Shoe Fits posts here
David Strickland, administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, may not have the kind of background you typically look to as a role model.
In this short interview he talks about the attitudes and approaches that worked for him.
I think three of the most important points he makes are in bold with my added commentary.
- Learn to disagree without being disagreeable: disagreeable refers to much more than hostility, anger and raised voices; it includes, but is not limited to, eye rolls, glares, sniffs, snickers, snarky responses and martyred expressions.
- Present a problem and your proposed solution together: you need to hear about every difficulty and challenge your team faces, but it’s better to encourage your people to think them through and present possible solutions along with the problem, instead of having them come across like complaints.
- You are not bigger than the mission: even if you’re the founder. Once other people buy into your vision the mission becomes larger. You are not the sun; decisions should be based on what is best for the mission, whether or not they are best for you.
You’ve probably heard them before, but that doesn’t mean they sank in or that you are practicing them.
I find many younger entrepreneurs tend to write off people like Strickland, because of his age, experience or work; they prefer role models from their peers or with high profiles.
More fools they.
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Flickr image credit: HikingArtist
