I recently read one of the most gut-wrenching leadership thoughts that I’ve read in a while.
It was so gut-wrenching because it was so truthful!
The challenge that many organizations face is not that people don’t know the truth, it is whether anyone has the courage to confront the truth and be honest about what’s happening within the organization. I have personally seen it and have had loads of conversations with friends who have experienced it. Thank God for the leaders who create and provide a healthy opportunity for those in leadership under them to tell them the truth and be reception to hearing that, without retaliation or professional vengeance. My prayer is for those leaders who are not there yet and should be. I pray that “their eyes would be open, ears attentive, and hearts strengthened to have people to share the truth and they receive it in a healthy fashion…”
Read these thoughts below from John Maxwell and share your thoughts…
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TELL LEADERS WHAT THEY NEED TO HEAR Because of their intuition, good leaders often see more than others see, and they see things before others do. Why? Because they see everything from a leadership bias. But if the organization they lead gets large, they often lose their edge. They become disconnected. What is the remedy to this problem? They ask the people in their inner circle to see things for them. Most good leaders want the perspective of people they trust. Sales expert Burton Bigelow said, “Very few big executives want to be surrounded by ‘yes’ men. Their greatest weakness often is the fact that ‘yes’ men build up around the executive a wall of fiction, when what the executive wants most of all is plain facts.” One of the ways to become a person whom leaders trust is to tell them the truth. If you’ve never spoken up to your leaders and told them what they need to hear, then it will take courage. As World War II general and later president Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “A bold heart is half the battle.” But if you are willing to speak up, you can help your leaders and yourself. Start small and be diplomatic. If your leader is receptive, become more frank over time. If you get to the point where your leader is not only willing to hear from you but actually wants your perspective, then remember this: Your job is to be a funnel, not a filter. Be careful to convey information without “spinning” it. Good leaders want the truth—even if it hurts. —The 360° Leader HAVE A BOLD HEART , START SMALL, AND DIPLOMATICALLY BEGIN TELLING YOUR LEADER WHAT HE NEEDS TO HEAR.