Current Credibility

Have you ever been around anyone that was trying to live their lives on past glories? They talk about the good old days with passion, but do not have any modern experiences to share. Without modern experiences they lack current credibility. In the world of leadership, especially as a Moral Authority Leader, current credibility is vital. It is impossible to lead without it 

To get a better understanding of current credibility, let’s look at it from the area of the entertainment world. Performers and actors must always stay current and up to date with what is going on around them. The world is constantly changing and those who don't change get left behind. In the entertainment world the people who get left behind are not abandoned, they just get re-branded as celebrities. They were famous for singing or acting, however, at some point their career stagnated because they didn’t change their acting styles or change the songs that they were singing. Now they bounce around from talk show to talk show talking about the good old days. They only ever talk about the last movie that people remember or sing the song that last charted. They have not done anything new or substantial in the last few years.

This can be seen with the late, great Robin Williams (July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014). During the 70’s 80’s and 90’s Williams was a superstar. However, by the end of the 90’s his star was fading, and his movies were not as popular as they had once been. As the world moved into the new millennium, Williams was not getting the big starring roles he once had. He was now doing more in supporting roles and voice acting. This would be hard for a person like Robin Williams who craved the limelight. To make matters worse, whenever he appeared on any chat show, the hosts only asked about his past movies, especially Mrs Doutbfire. As an actor, Williams had lost his current credibility and he was in danger of becoming a has been. Unfortunately, with his Lewy body dementia and depression, he took his own life. 

Side note. I just want to say that no matter who you are just because you don't have current credibility in some areas, you are still relevant and wanted. You are still relevant, wanted and seen as important by people who love you. Please never forget that.

Just like the entertainment world, you will find plenty of people who no longer have current credibility in the business world, and they are all Positional Authority Leaders. While not all Positional Authority Leaders lack current credibility, all leaders that lack current credibility are Positional Authority Leaders. These leaders have raised themselves to a position that they feel comfortable with and have never moved any further forwards. Their main effort now is to try to maintain the status quo and when change comes, they are reluctant and resist. They are always the last to adapt to the new ways of doing things. 

How do you identify these types of Positional Authority Leaders? They like to reminisce about the past. Their last experience in their field was 5 + years ago. They also use terms like, “this is the way we have always done it”, “if it ain't broke, don't fix” and “I remember when”. I think it is important to understand that if you are moving to the area of Moral Authority, then you do not want to associate with these people. (https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/association-leaders-best-friend-worst-enemy-terry-shadwell/)

When it comes to people in Moral Authority Leadership, current credibility is one of the most important areas in being able to motivate and inspire those who are following them. As Moral Authority Leaders lead by example, they must always be seen doing what needs to be done and adapting to change that comes their way. Moral Authority Leaders speak about current situations, and most of their examples have happened in the last few months. 

And for most Moral Authority Leaders, they never retire. While they may leave a job, they remain active in their own business, investments and/or community. They keep reading, they keep learning and they keep associating with other Moral Authority Leaders and are always looking for ways to improve. They have future goals and big plans. 

An outstanding Moral Authority Leader who always had current credibility was Wesley Branch Rickey (December 20, 1881 – December 9, 1965). Branch Rickey, as he was known, was an American baseball player and sports executive. Rickey was not one of the game’s greatest players, but as a manager he really excelled. He was a Moral Authority Leader who introduced some of the biggest and lasting changes in the game of baseball. Rickey was instrumental in breaking Major League Baseball's colour barrier by signing black player Jackie Robinson. He also created the framework for the modern minor league farm system, encouraged the Major Leagues to add new teams through his involvement in the proposed Continental League, and introduced the batting helmet. 

As a Moral Authority Leader, Rickey never retired. He moved from baseball in 1964 into public speaking. On November 13, 1965, Rickey collapsed in the middle of a speech in Columbia, Missouri, as he was being elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. As he spoke, he faltered, fell back into his seat and slipped onto the floor. He never regained consciousness. On December 9, at about 10 p.m. he died of heart failure at Boone County Memorial Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, 11 days before his 84th birthday. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967, two years after his death. Right up to his death Rickey was remaining current and inspiring people. 

Rickey’s actions also help to highlight another element to current credibility. While there is no proof to this, I believe that always having meaningful goals to achieve keeps people alive for longer. Just like Branch Rickey, Clint Eastwood is a great example of someone who keeps on going. At the age of 89 Clint is still producing and directing movies. Clint once said, “You know what the big trick is?” he said. “I have a friend that is in his 90s, and I said to him, ‘You look real good—what’s the deal?’ He says, ‘Never let the old man in.’ And he never did.” That is, never stop.

In contrast to Branch Rickey and Clint Eastwood, I have watched people in my own family who at a young age just gave up. They lived in their life in their heads and longed for the days gone by. They had no future ambition, no dreams and no goals. To them the modern world and all the new technologies were not good, and they refused to accept change. Because of their close-minded attitude, they refuse to adapt to the modern world, and they had no current credibility. And the really sad part is, they didn’t enjoy their lives and they all died well before their time.

If you want to be a Moral Authority Leader you need to have current credibility. You need to always be standing on the front lines, lead by example, change when change comes and inspire those around you with your actions. Be willing to read books on leadership and personal growth to expand your knowledge, listen to podcasts on motivation, attend conferences and seminars, and most importantly associate with other Moral Authority Leaders who are moving forwards. Plus, set big ambitious goals that inspire you, and never, never, never quit.

Of course, as you grow as a Moral Authority Leader you will inspire and create other Moral Authority Leaders around you. This will help to maintain you current credibility. Plus, you will be happier, and may even live longer.

If you would like to know more about Terry’s work and the possibility of mentorship please contact him.

Terry Shadwell

Helping People Help Themselves So They Can Lead a Greater Life