Leadership and command require skills taken from a variety of disciplines, including acting, advocacy, imagination, creativity, spontaneity, applied psychology and a knowledge of basic science. Following is a brilliant quote from poet and author James Joyce regarding the essence of genius as I believe that it applies directly to leadership -- and demonstrating how important perspective and perception are in explaining things to your charges or audience when you are cast in the role of being a Leader:
"A man of genius makes no mistakes. His errors are volitional and are the portals of discovery." James Joyce
Some quick observations:
1) Explanations can be every bit as important as actions;
2) How you conduct yourself after the act of doing anything (whether charity or murder) will be observed and interpreted in judging you in relation to the act itself;
3) Trial and error are permissible in a leader, within limits -- but they must be explained as attempts, experiments, monitoring or tests, and never as a lack or loss of direction.
As an aside, it is best to remember that as a leader, you are always being watched, always being judged, and always expected to have an answer which you can serve up without a moment's hesitation. Difficult? No. Impossible! But the "magic" of great leadership is to do, or to appear to do, what no one else could ever do.
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Douglas E Castle (http://aboutDouglasCastle.blogspot.com) - For a list of other blogs by this same author.
Taking Command! Blog - http://TakingCommand.blogspot.com
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