#287: What's a Recent Leadership Lesson You've Learned For the First Time or Been Reminded Of?

Introduction

Some time ago, I was invited by Jonno White of Clarity Group Global to join a feature on his site called "7 Questions on Leadership" in which selected people, - mainly senior executives of large companies, - were invited to answer 7 questions about themselves and their leadership journeys.

For one reason or another, my submitted answers didn't make the final cut, but I have shared them on a number of social media sites with people who found them also worth sharing.

So, at last, and in a spirit of humility, I am reproducing each question-and-answer on "The People Skills" newsletter with the genuine wish that they will now inspire you on your own leadership journey.

So, here is the fourth question along with my answer...

04. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

As a coach and leader, I've always seen my role as someone who helps others to perform better at work.

But, in my early days as a leader, I wasn't always successful in getting people to listen, accept my advice, and change their behaviour.

It wasn't until I came across a 300-year-old piece of poetry that the penny dropped and everything fell into place.

The poet was Alexander Pope and the poetry was a couplet from his work of 1711, "An Essay on Criticism".

This is what he wrote:

"Men must be taught as if you taught them not;

And things unknown propos'd as things forgot."

What Pope is saying is that most people don't like being taught. It makes them feel inferior and stupid, two things that will block their willingness to learn.

Instead, Pope suggests that we use a bit of psychology on ourselves and others by imagining that our learners already know what we are proposing and have simply forgotten it. That way, you don't come across as being superior and cleverer than they are.

At its heart, this couplet is a reminder that, in the learning process, our role as coaches is not to pour knowledge into others but to help learners discover it for themselves.

It's a reminder worth remembering.

What Next?

If you regard yourself as a leader, (and, remember, you don't need to be in a leadership role or wear the stripes to be a leader), why don't you now pause your day, and think about how you would answer the above question.

If you're like me, this exercise alone will shed light on who you are, what is important to you, and where you see yourself going.

I'll be adding all the other questions-and-answers in the next few newsletters, so look out for them - they're just as interesting.

Meanwhile, I wish you well on your journey.

Thanks for reading this edition of the "People Skills" newsletter and good luck with your ongoing learning.

Oh, and one last thing.

In the spirit of making the world a freer, happier and more enlightened place...

...please pass this newsletter on.

Thankyou!

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Managing Director

KSA Training Ltd