I assume way too much.
Throughout history this has proved to be a monumental struggle for leaders everywhere.
Pericles assumed that his oratory skills and Athens democratic society would quickly discourage the Spartans when they showed up at Attica in 431 b.c.. He assumed it would be a short war. Twenty seven years later, mighty Athens was destroyed.
Many Americans assumed they could go on spending more than they earn and for decades, as a country, we’ve done just that. The law of the ledger has, it appears, raised it’s ugly head. I believe, we’re only seeing the tippy top of said scalp. Do NOT assume I know anything.
Countless leaders assume that since FEAR has worked for so long that it will continue to work, especially NOW that so many are so afraid.
When I started BUILT TO LEAD in 2002, I assumed, that the world was full of teams like the ones I had played on at CompuServe. Teams that loved their work and LOVED each other. Teams that were full of people that were on fire and already spreading. Teams that you led with the question, the idea, and NOT with FEAR. Teams that radiated energy, passion, and were full of PURPOSE. I assumed incorrectly. Turns out that my history had just made me into a freakin’ weirdo. Who knew?
Assumptions, can lead to lazy decisions, to lagging efforts, and to sudden stops. Here’s why…
Most of our assumptions are rooted in our belief system and in our LIMITED understanding of history. Mainly our own history. This can produce a leader that is “married” to his or her “mental models.” Our mental models are our brains systematic way of dealing with the flood of information coming at us everyday without actually getting flooded. It’s your brains way of shortcutting the trip from here to there. The there, btw, is making decisions. The transformational leader relies on their mental models for shortcutting the road to more decisions AND constantly challenges these same mental models to ensure they are STILL accurate. Paradoxical it is.
What assumptions are you making about you and your teams?
What assumptions are you making about your partners, your clients, your suppliers, your competition, your children, your coach, your community, your leaders?
How do you challenge your belief system today?
As you look back at the quality of your decisions what stands out? What, historically, has gotten you into trouble regarding your decision making?
Are you aware of your mental models that may need challenging?
What history are you studying, besides your own, to widen and deepen your perspectives?
Are you at least studying your own?
Or, are you too busy, too distracted, too scared, too whatever, to slow down and study? The transformational leader assumes little. They study, learn, and apply not to prove a point. They study, learn, and apply to improve their performance and the performance of their teams. They improve their decision making and the decision making of others. They make more mistakes too. They know that mistakes are NOT what will kill us. What we ASSUME about our mistakes just might.
Tell me more…
BUILT TO LEAD 