Every leader relies on their “intuition” more than they care to admit. Coffee and donut problems, like the ones we play with during BTL practice, have one right answer. Most of your “real” issues, not so much. When hiring folks, there’s no “one” answer solution. When promoting folks, when firing folks, when positioning folks, and when partnering with folks, it would be nice if algebraic equations popped out the answer.
They don’t.
In fact, when listening to the folks on your team, the only fact that is a fixed part of the equation is one that is disconcerting and mostly denied. Facts don’t lie. People do. We all tell lies, mostly to ourselves. Funny, huh…
Today as you listen to the people you have the privilege of leading, remember this fact. Leaders trust first, true billy. And, leaders trust their “gut” and when their intuition tells them that something just doesn’t “add up,” these leaders slow down and “inspect what they expect.”
Every leader wishes this were not their reality and every leader will experience that most hurtful emotion of betrayal. The betrayer is a part of your system and a part of mine. This is why Friedman, in his book titled, A Failure of Nerve and M. Scott Peck, in his titled, People of the Lie, present a compelling argument that “sabotage” is a part of every system, and it’s mostly an inside job.
My current read, Telling Lies, by Paul Ekman is another insight filled, page turner about clues to deceit in the marketplace, politics, and marriage.
Every leader needs to be an educated leader. Your intuition is not as much a mystery as you might think. You can improve yours by studying, slowing down, and responding to your early warning signals that somethings not adding up. Your next hire, your next partner, and your next decision, regardless its type, just might depend on your ability to detect the facts and the lies.
Remember, it’s mostly an inside job…
BUILT TO LEAD 