In my last blog, we addressed the principle of doing what is right, and today we will cover the second part of Schwarzkopf’s leadership advice – “When placed in command, take charge.”
I made the mistake early on in my leadership journey by letting the caboose drive the train, because I didn’t have enough confidence in my own judgment. Many inexperienced leaders tend to fear the consequences of their own decisions, and as a result, they allow the opinions of their followers to drive their decision making.
Here me now and do not forget this concept, when placed in command, TAKE CHARGE.
This is how you learn to be a leader. You will make mistakes, and your judgment will never be perfect. It’s acceptable to make mistakes, and most leaders do. You cannot lead if you elevate the opinions of your team above your own. There is great wisdom in seeking the thoughts and opinions of your team, but you are the one to call that final shot. Do not let anyone else make that decision for you.
Take in all the advice and opinions and then draw your own conclusion based on your decision. If the people you are leading sense for a second that you are indecisive and waffling on an issue, they will not respect you. In your effort to appease them, you’ll lose them.
People want to follow a leader who is not afraid to lead, but they will very rarely follow a leader who hesitates. It’s perfectly acceptable to seek advice and counsel prior to making a decision, but the one who is leading is responsible for stepping to the plate and making the final decision.
Do not apologize for your decisions, especially if you chose against someone’s advice. Advice is only advice, but the leader has to gather all the data together in order to make the best decision. This is the job of the leader, so don’t be afraid to do it.
I sometimes struggled with leading individuals who were more qualified or more experienced than me. I would sometimes wonder if they were “second-guessing” my leadership and direction. It was not until I learned this valuable leadership principle that I later realized that you will always be “second-guessed”. It comes with the territory.
Instead of worrying about what other people think is or isn’t the right decision, I started leading. I soon discovered that you don’t have to be the smartest person in the room to lead. I’m an excellent example of that truth.
I do want to emphasize how important it is to solicit feedback and advice from key team members who can impart critical information to assist in the decision making process. It is extremely valuable to have a team who can express their opinions openly and honestly without judgment.
The bible says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed”. Your team should always feel safe that they can disagree with you and express their thoughts. But in the end, the leader calls the final shot. You cannot be successful any other way. When placed in command, take charge, and you will lead others to great things.
Tags: Aaron Broyles, do great things book, entrepreneurial, Leadership
