More Thoughts on Leadership
by KG Charles-Harris
I’ve seen many definitions of leadership in the course of my career, but none so accurate as the words of Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th US president.
Leadership consists of nothing but taking responsibility for everything that goes wrong and giving your subordinates credit for everything that goes well.
Simple, right?
But harder to implement.
Years ago, in a personal setting, I was acting like a prima donna when someone I respected turned a mirror to my behavior.
Not only did I think my behavior was despicable, but I also learned of the destructive power of ego.
My ego.
It was a wake-up call for me.
To counteract it in the future, I created a little mantra that I repeat to myself relatively often.
“Ego is the enemy that confuses what I want, and destroys what I create.”
Ego is THE enemy.
More dangerous than laziness, ignorance or stupidity.
More perfidious than cowardice or fear.
And, sadly, more common across society with every passing year.
