Decisiveness includes getting good advice and making sense of things. In fact, impactful leaders listen then execute.
This blog entry contains LinkedIn posts I made, dated March 29 to April 3, 2021. Each post discusses a specific verse from the Book of Proverbs.
Topics covered during that week were: decisiveness, getting good advice, sensitivity to others, careful execution, making sense of things, and considering my motives. Together, these posts address how impactful leaders listen then execute.
Connecting the dots
How do leaders move from disconnected events to sense making?
That is, to connecting the dots of events by recognizing patterns and creating accurate predictions?
Collecting facts, the dots or data points, is fairly routine. However, separating relevant from irrelevant, and true from false, is less routine.
To make connections, leaders call on experiential insight. As well, they rely on discernment to identify the true and relevant.
Proverbs 28.2 discusses this critical relationship, noting that many leaders fail because they don’t master the knowledge-to-discerning process.
So, don’t be the leader who gets stuck in an endless cycle of data gathering and indecisiveness.
Instead, combine what you know with the wise counsel of others to become more discerning, and thus more decisive.
Average of 5 – Really?
A widely-repeated quote says I’m the average of the five people I spend time with. I disagree. Why?
Because I don’t believe the diverse characteristics of others averaged into a single overall trait in me.
But, suppose my advisors all believe conspiracies. Even if I buy the lies. I’m still not the average. In fact, I may become more extreme than them!
Conversely, Proverbs 20.18 says strategies are established by getting good advice. Fact is, impactful leaders wisely choose influencers.
Therefore, look for sound character first when choosing advisors so you multiply your influence based on the diverse strengths of others.
Leaders shouldn’t average together poor advice by seeking the lowest point of agreement!
How did I miss that?
How? Because of my underdeveloped character.
It’s important for leaders to build character traits such as discretion, discernment, and interpersonal sensitivity. Lacking those traits, he or she comes across as detached, uncaring, and insensitive.
Likewise, Proverbs 29.7 says poor character (“the wicked”) leads to a lack of discernment (“regard not factual knowledge”) about the needs around me.
So, in my rush to be decisive and forceful as a leader, I must slow down to recognize the concerns right in front of me.
Expectation vs. Execution
I know what’s expected of me as a leader. Often, the hard part is execution. Why? Because I’m easily distracted by careless options, such as the quick solution and easy out.
Proverbs 31.5 warns that indulgence causes me to neglect doing what’s right. As a result, my decisions are altered to accommodate influence or status.
So, I meet expectations by not allowing reckless habits to erode the execution of my duties.
Does that make sense?
Well, no, as a matter of fact, it doesn’t make sense.
Why? Here are two paths to consider when something doesn’t make sense.
1). I’m unwilling to accept correction or opinions that differ from mine. That’s plain old, everyday arrogance.
2). Critical thinking tells me that what’s being presented as truth isn’t true. It’s a plain old, everyday lie.
Proverbs 1.2 says one outcome of wisdom is perceiving/discerning what does and doesn’t make sense.
As such, sense making, as guided by discernment, is a critical capability for a leader if he/she is to respond wisely.
Think then act isn’t enough!
Well, why not? Because sometimes my thinking is just plain wrong! Worse yet, sometimes I’m angry and vindictive. I focus on getting even. Oh, if I had just said…
Now, Proverbs 14.17 warns about being short-tempered. Then says if you really want to be hated, spend time thinking bad things to do to others.
So, it’s not enough to think if those deep thoughts are driven by negative and petty emotions. Why should I choose to be consumed by living in that place?
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