Even if I’m inexperienced, I best use the factual knowledge I have by thinking deeply. As such, Proverbs 1.4 teaches that deep thoughtfulness offsets inexperience.
The Precept Explained
Inexperience can be offset. Thus, it doesn’t have to be a fatal condition!
Actually, even a highly experienced leader will run into problems he or she has not encountered before.
So, what to do?
Offsetting Inexperience
Leaders offset their inexperience in a specific area through several avenues. For example,
1). Ask for help. In short, get impartial advice from someone else who has been there and done that.
2). Call on the experiences you have had previously. Thus, take account of the insights you have built up already.
3). Build out your base of factual knowledge through data gathering so you have a facts from which to benchmark.
At this point, you have a pile of data and a bunch of opinions about how to proceed. So, now what?
Well, this is where the decision processes a leader has developed, over time, come into play.
Deep Thoughtfulness
Proverbs 1.4-5 describes a decision process, specifically for those who are inexperienced.
Moreover, verse 5 adds the importance of being discerning while getting advice by listening to impartial advice.
What’s the outcome? According to Proverbs 1.3 deep thoughtfulness produces good judgment that leads to sound decisions.
Listen – Discern – Act
Additionally, my ability to think deeply is the core of an effective decision process, even if I’m inexperienced.
Those sound decisions are a source of leadership influence.
Therefore, deep thoughtfulness offsets inexperience.
Leadership Insight
Personnel decisions can present new challenges, even for experienced leaders. Why? Because there always seems to be some new situation that hasn’t occurred before.
Given the variety of possible scenarios, what are some key parameters for a decision maker to consider?
First, what outcome is just or fair? Not only for the individual making the request but also for others in the same and in other business units?
Second, is there some guiding policy already in place that might apply in this situation? For example, are you dealing with a bargaining unit? I know, waiting for a policy ruling can be time consuming.
Third, if you mention your decision to your superior, what are the chances they will respond with “you did what?” Thus, do you have a sound rationale that can be used to defend yourself and your business unit?
Apply This Today!
Deep thoughtfulness offsets inexperience as a leader.
However, I must combine clear thinking with reliable input from other sources. Then, I produce decisions that are balanced and fair. And, quite simply, the right thing to do.
What do you think? Send me a comment: larrydaleyoung@gmail.com