I heard a phase once that really captured my attention. A speaker who was making a point about the ability of people to learn said, “you can either listen and learn, or you can live and learn.” I like well-turned phrase and so it stuck with me. I used it with my boys as they were growing up and I have used with clients as a way to quickly point out that they were on a path of learning that was going to be harder than necessary. It is one of those phrases that work in many settings, because it is true.
When I think of the Character of Leadership element of wisdom this phrase comes to mind. In particular, it comes to mind as I consider from a distance the challenges now facing Tiger Woods. He has certainly torn a page from the “live and learn” book and one can only hope that he, his family, colleagues and those of watching from a distance will “listen and learn” to the painful lessons he is learning about leadership and the ramifications of a leader’s personal behavior..
In the recent financial crisis we have seen the re-emergence of an oft debated doctrine called “too big to fail.” The idea is that some businesses are simply so large and so entangled in the economy that their failure would cause more destruction than any set of artificial supports could cause. For instance, it was determined that AIG, despite its failures, was so integral to the rest of the
For leaders “too big to fail” does not apply. This is not to say that all leaders must be perfect. No such leaders exist. It does mean that no matter how far above the rules of scrutiny leaders believes they are, they are never too big to fail. We all need to observe the precipitous fall of Tiger Woods to “listen and learn” the lesson he is teaching.
Phil,
ReplyDeleteI too have been following the challenges that Tiger faces as a result of his personal behavior.
And while you're correct that no leader is to big to fail, what about the rest of the Tiger story that will be played out over time? Is public acknowledgement followed by repentance the rest of the Tiger story?
Are his transgressions too big to recover from, a recovery where he can resume golf, and family, and sponsors? What is the rest of the Tiger story? We'll see.
And what about my transgressions? I too am a leader, however I may be too small that few will care or will even remember my stumble. Should I come public with acknowledgement?
Repentance for me will be to simply go forward making better decisions befitting repentance, having learned from my mistakes, surrendering self to God, and letting the past go.
Tiger can do the same. And while he and I are on different ends of the publicity scale, we both need to stand up, acknowledge, brush the dust off, and do the right thing.
Steve,
ReplyDeleteGreat comments and the short answer is that recovery from failure is in the hands of the fallen. When leaders acknowledge their failure and desire to make things better that opens the door for others to help them.