Good Morning,
My current read is ‘Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun’ by Wess Roberts Ph.D. (http://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Secrets-Attila-Wess-Roberts/dp/0446391069 ). This book is not lessons actually give from Attila, but leadership lessons based on history and Attila’s character written as if they were given by Attila to his Chieftains around the council fires back in 5th Century. Unlike most leadership books, this one gives you the information straight, as if you were hearing it from a friend rather than from a CEO or Professor.
Two of the lessons that caught my attention, and are related are:
1. Never accept an office of leadership for which you are not willing to pay the tribute necessary to successfully fulfill its obligations
2. Wise is the Chieftain who never makes a decision when he doesn’t understand the issue. In decision making, valor is guided by prudence.
Most of the leadership materials I have read talk about how you should face situations, how you should consider situations, and how you should act to be successful. Dr. Roberts and Attila here are covering some of the basic concepts here, ones that are often missed or not understood.
If you are not interested in doing something, then why do it? If you do not want the responsibilities of being a leader, then don’t jump in. My first task as a leader was to fire someone. You know I second guessed my decision to accept a leadership position at that moment. Many positions and jobs are not for the faint of heart. Jumping in for more money or the glory without understanding the full scope of what is expected of you is a recipe for ruin.
It is the job of a leader to make decisions, but that does not mean blindly guessing at what to do. Going with your gut is fine, but if you do not understand the issue, then you could having your people running headfirst into a wall or off a cliff. Getting an understanding is paramount. Get it yourself or see if one of your people have it and then make a decision. More time and money is spent fixing bad decisions than getting information to make the initial decision in the first place.
I enjoyed this book, its fresh perspective helped me get some new insights into leadership.
Enjoy!
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