The Paradoxical Commandments & Wise Leadership
A couple of years ago, I sat next to a man who told a fascinating story about how he developed his core philosophy on leading. I immediately resonated with his philosophy because I think he addresses the most difficult part of leadership, whether is it’s leadership of a company or of a sales team, (at least for me!) to…love them anyway.
Wise leadership is founded on strong relationships with those around us. In fact, Marcus Buckingham in The One Thing You Need to Know about Great Managing, Great Leading and Sustained Individual Success, says that the greatest manager truly care (love) their staff.
So, how do rate yourself?
Who are the people that are difficult to care for? What does that say about you?
When is it difficult to care for others? What does that say about you?
Take the challenge and read The Paradoxical Commandments by Kent M. Keith:
People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
© Copyright Kent M. Keith 1968, 2001
www.paradoxicalcommandments.com