Throughout the BTL playbooks is a reference to the two poles of transformational leaders. We refer to these polar opposites as being Curious George AND my way is the highway.
In other words, leaders play at the edges and do NOT migrate toward the middle. This is contrary to what the majority believes. Being contrary does NOT, however, make it incorrect. In fact, history proves that leaders that change the world mostly play these two roles and play them wisely. They know when to ask really good, curious questions. And, they do so.
They know when to be clear, concise, and direct. When they know the way forward they lay claim to their highway and do the darndest to connect those that follow. They are both Curious George AND my way is the highway.
Frequently we will use the person of our seventh President to illustrate the later pole. I’ve found him to be a good example of what a leader looks like when he sees the highway. Andrew Jackson is an interesting and complex study, as are we all. I find his worldview and mine to be mostly out of alignment and yet his clarity is unmistakable.
I’m in the middle of my second Jackson biography. This one titled American Lion, and written by Jon Meacham. In this one Meacham gives the name to one of my favorite quotes in the 12 Essentials Playbook. The name is Russell Bean. He’s the man that Jackson alone gets to surrender when he’s previously held an entire posse at bay. Russell decided to “sing small” due to the “shoot in the eye” of one Andrew. Thanks Jon for providing the name…
Another example of Jackson’s highway was also found in this read. This ones a little “edgy.” The prior six Presidents of our United States had only vetoed nine bills that made it to their desk. In other words, they mostly agreed with their counterparts in congress. Jackson, not so much. He alone, during his presidency vetoed…
12.
Do you possess a vision for your posse?
Are you investing your time and energy in “finding the middle ground,” or in clarifying your highway?
Have you mastered the art of asking questions like Curious George?
Are you interested in being a popular President, or in clarifying your highway?
Assuming your tendency is to see the highway, have you developed a network of “truth tellers” that sees the world through a different lens?
What are your disciplines to tap these resources?
Assuming your tendency is to ask curious questions, how can you become more disciplined in making decisions?
What decisions are you afraid to make?
Why?
Which pole represents your tendency as a leader?
Lean into it…
BUILT TO LEAD 