Newsletter 1

Are Your Leaders "Stuck on Stupid?"

If you've ever asked one of your leaders "What were you thinking?" you may not have said it, but you may have thought "They sure seem to be stuck somewhere," and "stupid' sounded just about right at the time.

What is the source of bad decisions? How can you, as the head of an organization, minimize the poor decisions made by those in leadership? Can you dare imagine your entire organization making sound decisions? What would that be worth to your peace of mind and your bottom line?

Making decisions is the process of weighing various options then deciding on a course of action with the desired impact. Sometimes that means deciding between the better of two evils; other times there is only a thin line between a good decision and a bad one, yet there are times when the answer seems obvious. What is the intangible element that tips the scales one way or another? It is the value system of the one making the decision. If the person has a solid system of values, the course is often clear and steady. If the value system is based on the climate or the expediency of the moment, the decision will lack substance. While it is true you cannot "re-parent" people, you can establish a standard that serves as an immovable foundation made evident through your behavior as the leader.

Here are a few strategies to help you find that place of peace, profit, and time!

1. Evaluate and define your values. Can you clearly articulate those non-negotiable
    values upon which you firmly stand? If not, take the time to clearly define your values.

2. Prioritize your values. Priority simply means doing the priority thing first.
    What takes precedence in your value system?

3. Identify the behaviors and decision you exhibit that countermand those values.
    Are you sending mixed signals by how you make decisions?
    Can a person identify your values by the decisions you make?

As always, we need to look within ourselves before we identify change that needs to occur in others. Mahatma Gandhi said it so well, “We must become the change we want to see.”

Our next newsletter will provide deeper insight into Character-Centered Leadership™ but if you'll spend some time in introspection, it may lead you to an epiphany as to why those in your organization appear to be "Stuck on Stupid."