Most people want life to be easy and to get out of it what they can for themselves but leaders are different. I think the part that resonated most for me in this first section of the book is that leaders are servants first and a good leader understands and accepts this. Leaders need to be willing to be at the "bottom of the pyramid" in order for the people under them to suceed.
I think sometimes we all forget the bigger picture and things are just important in the here and now but that really isn't the case. Even in situations where a person is doing good they still sometimes want their name attached to that and thats really not what is important. The book points out the fact that it is more imporant for a leader to be leaving a powerful legacy than for someone to remember his/her name, people will forget names but remember actions.
I know for me something in the first section of the book that made me think was the part about how we can hand out critism (whether it be bad or good) but are not very good at accepting it. Accepting positive critism is a sign of a true leader according to the book. I know in my own experience I sometimes have trouble listening to things people say to me that I view as negative when really the person is trying to offer me constructive critism.
After reading the first section of A Leader's Legacy I am really excited to read the next section and hopefully learn more that I can put into practice in my own life.
Great post! Your comments about criticism are right on the money... getting criticized and giving criticism are both certainly an art. You mention the difficulty of hearing criticism. Has that concern for you made you more sympathetic when you have to give criticism to others? I'll bet it might help you be very kind when you have to do that?
ReplyDeleteI also found the part about leaders being at the "bottom of the pyramid" to be eye-opening because I feel that most people don't see it that way. Those in positions are often recognized for their power, but that power should be used to serve others.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes have the problem of taking criticism personally but I have to remember that if dealt with in a constructive way it's not about me but about my actions or behavior that may need to improve. You can still like someone while disapproving of their actions.
In response to Cindy's question I always try to be kind if I have to give criticism. If I have to say something negative I also like to say something positive to recognize the person's strengths as well.
I can't wait for our next GLAD meeting!