How The Seduction of Folly Propagates Lousy Leadership
The benefit of folly is enjoyed immediately.
Seduction:
Delayed consequences intensify folly’s seduction.
Bullying is easier than winning hearts. A foolish leader pressures people into compliance. She enjoys a bump in production, in the short-term.
Worse yet, short-sighted managers come to believe bullying is necessary to achieve great results. After all, it works.
Compliance and conformity become mediocrity and resistance.
A foolish manager pretends he knows when he’s ignorant. He enjoys undeserved respect, in the short-term. But folly propagates itself.
Deception becomes easier with practice. One successful lie leads to the next until the truth comes out.
The seduction of folly is quick easy wins.
The value of wisdom becomes obvious in the long-term.
Learning to be a wise leader:
“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” Confucius
Write the names of any ten people you know on a list.
- What are they doing that helps them flourish? Makes their life painful or frustrating?
- What are they doing that strengthens relationships? Weakens?
- How are they strengthening the relationships around them? Driving wedges between people?
- What are they doing to serve and strengthen the community at large?
Reflection:
- Where do you see self-inflicted pain in your own life? (Use the above exercise for points of comparison.)
- What practices will you embrace? (Based on wise behaviors you see in others.)
Envy and resentment:
Resentment makes you foolish.
You have a lousy boss that you punish by bringing less than your best to work. This is self-sabotage.
Envy keeps you foolish.
You have a beloved manager. You want what she enjoys, but envy prevents you from seeking her wisdom.
Wisdom is an aspiration for the wise and an annoyance for a closed mind.
What makes folly attractive?
How might leaders learn wisdom?
I love the title, I was immediately hooked and just had to read it when I saw my daily email. Every word of it is so true!
Thanks for the encouragement, John. Be well.
Dan of the Ancient three ways to wisdom in my own life:
Reflection was the hardest but came after a couple major failures
Imitation was the easiest as I was blessed with great Mentors along the way and I watched them
Experience if you live long enough and see the Signs along the way this works as well!
Great post
Brad
Thanks Brad. It seems that failure is a motivator to those who are open to growth. My experience mirrors yours. In many ways, I’ve been a slow learner. I was committed to learning skills and expanding my knowledge, but gaining wisdom wasn’t on my radar.