Leadership Thoughts 102
No good leader likes a "Yes, Yes" person. With so few people to trust, you find that you become valued member of any team when you (wisely) present the different opinion the team are failing to see—no matter how painful it is. Any good leader, will ensure that his team is full of diverse people... Once that team of diverse can agree on a singular direction, you're half way there. Infact, I go so far as to say: the success of any particular vision is dependent on the diversity in opinion/view point of any leadership team.
Anyone that has worked with me, knows this to be true!
Some people haven't understood this in the past and it's caused rifts, because they felt, "If you already know what you want, why are you asking me/us?" But Colin Powell phrases it perfectly... I expect team members to challenge my notion; to try and come up with something better and even to try suggest (should that actually be the case) why we are going in the wrong direction/not considering the important things etc. But know that, for me to propose an idea, I also have a reason and will push to make you see why I think it can work. Any leader that doesn't have an opinion is not serving in humility, but, rather, is akin to the doormat that didn't speak up to be cleaned. After a while, it became unbearable and was replaced.
Side note: I actually try to listen to ideas and always ensure that the 'best' idea wins. Regardless of whether it was my idea or not.
No good leader likes a "Yes, Yes" person. With so few people to trust, you find that you become valued member of any team when you (wisely) present the different opinion the team are failing to see—no matter how painful it is. Any good leader, will ensure that his team is full of diverse people... Once that team of diverse can agree on a singular direction, you're half way there. Infact, I go so far as to say: the success of any particular vision is dependent on the diversity in opinion/view point of any leadership team.
Memorisable Writing
So, even if you have a good memory (tending towards photographic), you write down because of the people you've been called to serve; the people that weren't present but will require the information nonetheless, and the people that will ask the same questions over time... You can refer them to the piece of writing that answers the question and saves time.
Once upon a time, I was able to receive, retain and recall information by ear and off by heart. Now, seasoned with thyme, marinated, and more mature, I have come to appreciate the wisdom associated with writing down.
You get to a stage when the intricacies of your dealings, greater influence the success of the bigger picture, so, "I forgot", can no longer be used as an excuse.
No matter how good your brain is, I encourage you to write down for two major reasons:
1.) Just incase you actually forget something. It acts as your insurance. It also allows you to free your mind to be able to focus on other things...In trying to remember certain pieces of information, our short term memory can become ineffective to taking anything else on at that particular moment.
2.) For the eventuality that someone else needs to follow the same instructions. It's then available, to be followed at their convenience. Infact, it's one of the reasons people write books. It enables the writer (information source) to serve many at the same time.
So, even if you have a good memory (tending towards photographic), you write down because of the people you've been called to serve; the people that weren't present but will require the information nonetheless, and the people that will ask the same questions over time... You can refer them to the piece of writing that answers the question and saves time.
Once upon a time is NOW. Now, you must cultivate the habit of writing because, there is good sense in it.
A Short Story by Elsie Marcus
Wobbling from the sudden outburst, Chidi struggled to regain balance, but found herself being abruptly pulled from the large fish tank. Before she could open her mouth, she found herself firmly planted next to her mother who held onto Chidi’s small wrist in hopes of keeping her rooted. Chidi tried to wiggle away, back to her fish friend in the water, but her mother wouldn’t allow it, not again.
Intent on observing the tadpoles that swam with agility and speed, she stubbornly pushed back the onyx coils that sprung from her head.
The water rippled in tendrils as Chidi stared closely. Once again her onyx kinks sprung precariously from her head before dropping right before her eyes. Without hesitation, she flung them back, intent on maintaining her laser-like focus on the fish tank. The tadpoles swam with an agility and speed that pushed Chidi closer to the edge. In child-like wonder she rose onto the tip of her toes and pressed her nose firmly against the cold glass, wishing with all her might that she too could be like the tadpoles. She wanted to swim through the sea with elegance, feel the water spray against her skin when she dived into open air, and eat all the food she wanted, but alas, she looked down at her feet before gazing sadly at the tadpole. With her nose still firmly pressed against the glass, she let out a downbeat sigh. She would never be able to.
“Chidima Agu, move away from the glass this instance!”
Wobbling from the sudden outburst, Chidi struggled to regain balance, but found herself being abruptly pulled from the large fish tank. Before she could open her mouth, she found herself firmly planted next to her mother who held onto Chidi’s small wrist in hopes of keeping her rooted. Chidi tried to wiggle away, back to her fish friend in the water, but her mother wouldn’t allow it, not again.
“Chidinma we have to go, now is not the time for your games, please” Stress marred Stella's features as a frown, and the wrinkles under her eyes seemed to add years to her once youthful face. Chidi was considered too young to understand, but she did, and so she gripped her mother’s hand in hope she would realise Chidi understood her frustration. In silence, Chidi’s eyes wandered to the fish tank, her mind consumed with thoughts of the sea and the little tadpole.
Heavy footsteps preceded a soft face and an even softer voice; “And I assume you’ll be back for your next round of chemotherapy next week? Doctor Onyeka looked expectantly at Stella, a sympathetic smile on his face as he awaited her reply.
“Oh, yes... yes, I’ll be back next week”. Her words were laced with fatigue, and Chidi noticed but her young mind couldn’t comprehend the reason behind it, or the meaning of chemotherapy; It sounded more like a cool alien word to her. Wrapping her scarf tightly around her, Chidi, cast one last longing glance towards the fish tank before following her mother out into the fresh snow.
“Wait... Just one moment” Doctor Onyeka briskly followed Stella out the door and gently held the crook of her elbow.
“Stella, are you sure you want to do this alone? Is there no one you can bring, for moral support?” His eyes scanned over her with a fatherly concern.
“No, no it’s fine, I can do this, I have to” She attempted to smile but doctor Onyeka's words struck a chord in her. She had cancer. She was alone. Thanking the doctor for his concern, she grabbed Chidi's hand and continued towards the car with stiff movements. Chidi looked up at the woman she saw as everything and wanted nothing more than to put a smile on her face.
“Mummy?”
“Yes sunshine?”
“Mr Onyeka was wrong.”
Stella chuckled in disbelief and looked at Chidi.
“What do you mean?”
“He was wrong mummy. You have me, I’ll always be here for you, forever and ever and ever!”
Time seemed to stand still as Stella looked down at her daughter. Affection bubbled through her as she scooped Chidi into a bear hug, burying her tear-stained face into her Onyx kinks. Stella knew in that moment that her mini-me was the reason she had to survive this breast cancer. There was no other option. Chidi squealed in delight, oblivious to the woes of her mother, but all the happier to help.