Belief: The Foundation of Leadership and Decision-Making | Please Share | Friday Leadership Report
Happy Friday,
This past weekend, I attended a magic show that reminded me of how belief shapes our perception.?
Magic captivates us because we?see what we believe, not necessarily what is true.?
This same dynamic often applies to leadership.
The Watchman's Role: Context is Everything
In a recent conversation with an executive coaching client, he reflected on his experience rising through the ranks in the military.
?Early in his career, he served as a watchman aboard a ship, assessing risks and making decisions to ensure safety on the water.?
For him, misreading the environment could have had catastrophic consequences.
What stood out to me was how much leadership, like magic and the role of a watchman, hinges on understanding our biases and ensuring we're not simply seeing what we want to see.
The Challenge of Perception
Decision-making involves more than gathering data; it requires interpreting it. Consider:
In leadership, poor context reading can lead to flawed strategies, misaligned priorities, or even eroding trust within a team. Like a magician who guides the audience's gaze, biases and preconceptions can direct our focus away from what truly matters.
The Leadership Lesson
Influential leaders develop the discipline to pause and ask:
This practice mirrors the vigilance of a watchman scanning the horizon for risks, staying open to possibilities that might not be immediately obvious.
Avoiding the Leader's "Magic Tricks"
Belief is a compelling force. It can guide us toward transformative leadership, but only when tempered with curiosity, awareness, and a commitment to seeing things as they are.
The?magician's?"magic"?lies in their ability to influence what we see, steering attention to create an illusion. While this is terrific entertainment, it is a dangerous trap for a leader.
Leaders can unintentionally emulate the magician when biases, assumptions, or incomplete perspectives shape their decisions. Instead of fostering clarity, they risk misdirecting themselves and their teams, focusing on what they?want?to see rather than the realities of the situation.
Great leaders resist the allure of "magic"?by:
Leadership isn't about creating illusions—it's about uncovering and addressing what's real, fostering an environment where clarity and authenticity guide the path forward.?
Leadership shouldn't be magic but a commitment to seeing, thinking critically, and leading with intention.
This week, let's focus on leading with curiosity and clarity—ensuring that what we?believe?doesn't cloud what we?see.
Along the road with you,
Alan
P.S. It’s never too early or too late to support your team through transitions. Connect with Matt Goff, VP of Partner Solutions, at [email protected] to learn more about outplacement and transition support.
P.P.S. It's always a good time to enhance team development. Let us take care of your people and culture needs.?Connect with Matt Goff, VP of Partner Solutions, at [email protected] to explore how we can help.