Paradoxical Leadership

In the global village where free will offer – supposedly – the most conducive atmosphere for innovation and trans-generational advancements, the place of “commandments” cannot be trivialized.

We must be guided by some forms of principles, rules, tenets or laws to create enabling environment for mutual understanding and ‘breed’ peaceful co-existence. There has to be checks and balances to avoid free-for-all descent to chaotic disorder. In addition, leaders must relate with their associates ethically and empathetically within clear boundaries.

This is where J.C Maxwell’s recommendation in his book titled “Relationship 101 – what every leader needs to know” finds relevance.

This “Leadership GOT BORN” series is dedicated to “Paradoxical Commandments of Leadership” first penned down in 1968 by Kent Keith and re-echoed by J.C Maxwell re-echoed as follows:

1. People are often illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered – love them anyway

2. If you do good, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives – do good anyway

3. If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies – succeed anyway

4. The good you do today will perhaps be forgotten tomorrow – do good anyway

5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable – be honest and frank anyway

6. The biggest man with the biggest ideas may be shot down by the smallest man with the smallest mind – think big anyway

7. People favour underdogs but follow only hot dogs – fight for a few underdogs anyway

8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight – build anyway

9. People really need help but may attack you if you help them – help them anyway

10. Give the world the best that you have and you will get kicked in the teeth – give the world the best you have anyway

Note: G.O.T. B.O.R.N. is the acronym for Group of Ten Block of Refreshing Nuggets.