Wisdom…

Every leader we work with at BTL would love to build their wisdom.  They would love to NOT just become more experienced in their work and life.  Anyone growing old WILL do that.  Wise men and women are different.  

Wisdom comes from LEARNING from your experiences… not just LIVING through them.

Here’s some quick hitters on improving your wisdom.

1.  Make more decisions.  Make your mistakes faster.  Mid-course correct more frequently.  Stop trying to make progress on all decisions and, instead, make progress on the MOST important ones.  This sounds easy but most leaders want to LOOK like they’re making progress.  Sooooo they have team meetings with 50 agenda items and consider the meeting a success when they knocked off 40 of them.  Look at the two or three that always remain.  Understand why they seem to never get their “equal air time.”  Here’s what I’ve found.  It’s because they’re HARD.  The team is waiting for you to take on the HARD ones.  DONE so.

2.  Ask your team to make more decisions.  Lead by your example and then ask them to do the same.  Ask them how you can help and then do it.  Don’t just hold them “accountable” but, instead give them your courage.  Remember, no leader can give the team something they do NOT possess.  Note to self, grow some “stones.”

3.  Create more “and” alternatives.  Stop “either oring” yourself and your teams.  Look for lots of alternatives and don’t stop just because you’ve got a couple.  The most creative geniuses just come up with more ways to be wrong…

4.  Make more decisions.  Go back to number one and make another.  Conclude EVERY meeting with conclusions being MADE.  Stop having followup meetings and then more followup meetings.  Meet to resolve conflict.  Meet to explore new ideas.  Meet to develop skills and competencies around your craft. Meet to develop your teams.  End with conclusions.

5.  Make sure the team knows where we’re going.  Make the vision CLEAR.  Make the vision CONCISE.  Make sure your language is DIRECT.  Make sure the team knows why we are going where we’re going.  Make sure they believe.  Rinse and repeat until it’s squeaky clean.  

6.  Remember that number five is NEVER done.  Keep repeating and clarifying.  

7.  Ask the team what you need to start doing that you are NOT doing currently.   Ask the team what they want you to stop doing that you are doing currently.  Ask them to tell you more.  Ask them why this would improve your performance.  Ask them why this would improve collective performance.  

Wisdom is built over time and through adversity.  History teaches us that wise men and women make MORE mistakes than normal ones.  Stop being AFRAID of making ANY.  Make more mistakes…just make new ones.  Take on the HARD ones early and often.  You won’t die.  You may get hurt but remember…pain is temporary.  You will get better and STRONGER.

Sooooo GO on.  I BELIEVE IN YOU.

Done so.