You are Wrong, Dead Wrong!

You are Wrong, Dead Wrong!
Congratulations to those of you brave enough to open this
article. Some of my readers would have instantly deleted
anything that hinted at them being anything less than
perfect, certainly 'wrong.'

Take a moment to asses your initial reaction to this title.
Were you intrigued, curious, or perhaps agitated? Your
reaction speaks volumes about your leadership style.

Every great leader has a strong competitive streak that
helps them stay ahead of their game. However, when this
streak interferes with learning, it quickly brings them
down. We learn from both what we do right and where we
err. If you avoid this valuable tool of learning from your
mistakes, you're in for a rough ride as a leader, partner,
and friend.

Face it, sometimes you are purely off base; you've missed
the cue. Yes, even you are dead wrong. So, what does your
reaction says about you?

Denial—you are not in touch with the reality of the
situation and of those whom you lead. If you are told
there is a 'situation' a true leader takes it seriously,
pulling in the necessary resources to get to the bottom of
the problem.

Agitation—you have a strong ego that impedes your
seeing the bigger picture. Take a breath, widen your view
and ask questions. There is more to the story. Those all
around, below, and above you have valuable insight. Listen
intently and get help for that ego.

Blame—by now you know that this is not a leadership
style, but rather the behavior of a victim to look at the
problem rather than the solution. Look no farther than in
the mirror to correct the situation.

Premature Apology—you lead with a reactionary
impulse. This weakens your stance and how others view you.
Wait until you have the appropriate data to fully
understand the scenario. Sincerity, a comprehensive
understanding of the problem and plan of action are keys
here.

Caution/Intrigue/Curiosity—you lead with your mind,
combined with your heart and wisdom gained through
experience. You are eager to assess the damage, put all
the pieces together (not the people, but rather the
activities that could have taken place) and then to form a
plan of action

In this latter scenario, you immediately take steps learn
more in order to:

1) not make the same mistake again, and, 2) discover what
you missed the first time around.

You can then build and incorporate a plan of action and
move forward. Otherwise, you're stuck in denial, the
blame-game, apologizing for things you don't understand.

Purposely ask someone to challenge you this week to assess
your reaction. Have them say the words to you: "You're
wrong, dead wrong." Notice if one of the above thought
patterns occurs to you. Then notice your visceral response:

Physical sensation (gut reaction, goose bumps, tightened
chest) Emotional surge (sad, angry, hurt) Intuitive hit (I
believe him, I doubt what she is saying, I missed the
financial piece) How does it feel to be wrong, brave, and
perfect? Have a wonderful week exploring 'you!' Enjoy your
process!

----------------------------------------------------
For the sake of keeping your career fresh and on track,
would you like to enjoy a weekly shot-in-the-arm from
Master Certified Coach Ann Golden Eglé? You can sign
up for her free weekly ezine, The Success Thought of the
Week, at http://www.gvsuccesscoaching.com .