As a digital marketing consultant, I’m always learning, and today is no exception.
Here I am, with my morning frappuccino and thoughts fresh out of the oven after devouring “How Winning Leaders Make Great Calls” a business leadership manual by Noel Tichy and Warren G. Bennis.
What better way to start the day than sharing with you what has left me pondering?
Now, ‘good judgment,’ although it sounds as intangible and elusive as the elixir of life, according to Tichy and Bennis, can be learned and perfected. Yes, you heard me right.
We are not doomed, even for those who tend to order a pizza when everyone in the office wanted sushi.
The first thing I learned is that, as inflated as my ego might be, it’s necessary to embrace humility.
I am not the universal encyclopedia, nor the absolute owner of the truth. And you know what?
That’s okay. Learning to say “I don’t know” can be liberating and is the first step to, effectively, discovering the answer.
There is nothing more dangerous than a leader who believes they know it all, except perhaps a leader who pretends to know it.
Then comes the challenge of judging character. I don’t mean deciding if someone is the villain in your favorite series, but understanding how personal experiences and skills can influence ‘the big call.’
Is the most qualified person to make a decision always the one with the most impressive title? Not necessarily.
Moreover, having a clear vision is essential. Knowing where we want to go and what kind of leaders we want to be is crucial before making ‘the big call.’ Alignment with the organization’s goals should be our guiding star.
We come to the exciting part: Execution.
Making a decision and not following through is as absurd as ordering a pizza and not eating it. Let’s make sure we have an action plan to implement our decision and that we are willing to carry it out.
Finally, accountability. If things go awry, let’s be the first to admit it and strive to correct it.
But if everything goes well, then it’s time to rest on our laurels… even if only for a moment, because the next decision is lurking.
And to close, I want to emphasize that this concept of ‘the right calls’ is not merely the production of two brilliant academics.
Tichy, with his teaching experience at the Ross School of Business, and Bennis, a pioneer in business leadership studies, bring a powerful combination of theory and practice, thanks to their interactions with CEOs and leaders in various professions.
Their combined wisdom is pure gold for anyone aspiring to lead.
So, dear community, I am eager to hear your reflections and experiences on this topic! How are you making ‘the right calls’?
