I ask “Why did that happen?” when I’m totally unprepared. I become prepared by exercising foresight, that is by thinking ahead.
This blog post republishes my weekday LinkedIn posts that appeared May 31 through June 4, 2021. Key themes are: being prepared for opportunity, critical thinking to produce foresight, grasping what’s essential in a situation, power abuse, and resilience.
Be ready to ask!
Ever miss an opportunity because of a lack of preparation? Say, an unplanned encounter with a thought leader?
The outcome was underperformance because the resulting conversation was shallow.
Fact is, shallow conversations don’t access the depths of wise counsel. So, how can I be ready to ask when the opportunity presents itself?
I believe I must practice the discipline of building insight through daily reflection on, and learning from, life events.
Similarly, Proverbs 20.5 says wise counsel is like deep water that requires experiential insight to draw out.
I prepare for deep conversations because I perceive that in the future I’ll have opportunity to access wise counsel. Thus, the value of the daily discipline of personal and professional growth.
What daily disciplines position you for accessing deep counsel?
Why did that happen?
I ask this question when I’m totally unprepared for what just happened! So, how do I avoid this?
Or, I can be simple-minded. Don’t think critically, lack foresight, and walk into problems. Then say “Why did that happen?”
This process of developing foresight is described in Proverbs 22.3. Key process elements are:
1). Critical thinking
2). Develop foresight about likely outcomes
3). Take appropriate action
This is a useful model for anticipating likely outcomes through contingency planning. That behavior is expected of a leader.
What other elements play into your planning?
Despise what’s essential!
One mark of foolishness is not grasping the essential. Even when offered the right answer!
Why do I despise what’s essential? Often, because I refuse to learn. That is, I don’t want to be corrected. My mind is made up!
Proverbs 23.9 identifies this problem, saying it’s a waste of time to argue with a fool because he/she will show contempt for what’s essential.
How can I avoid this trap? I must do the hard work of personal growth by building discernment. And, by drawing insights from life experiences. In short, I must stop being so hard-headed and so inflexible!
What practices help you grasp essential meaning in a situation?
What’s it worth to you?
Power abuse is relentless. Especially when I get away with it. It leads to more abuse. Worse yet, it becomes easier because my conscious is less sensitive.
In Proverbs 23.10-11 we’re warned about ignoring common decency by taking advantage of the helpless (“don’t remove the landmarks or enter fields of orphans”).
So what? The next verse answers the “So What” question. When I abuse power and take advantage of others I must deal with God Himself.
If you’re convinced you can get away with it, how far would you move the boundaries? What’s it worth to you to abuse power as a leader? Is a short-term gain more important than your integrity?
Not perfect is Ok!
Can I fail if I have a sound character? I think so. Why? Because integrity doesn’t imply I never make a wrong choice.
Now, in Proverbs 24.16 we see that integrity is a source of resilience – “the just fall…rise up again…” The assumption is I’m learning from those failures rather than trapped in a destructive lifestyle.
As a leader, I need to get over believing I’m perfect! Admit when I fail. Then, look for ways to improve so I can avoid a repeat performance!
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