I bet you didn’t think I’d drop that deep question on you so early in the morning! Don’t worry, I’m not going to get all philosophical here on you. Pondering an answer to this question could take a couple lifetimes! So, let me tell you why I bring it up… It’s the foundation for anyone in leadership.
As leaders we’re tasked with taking our teams from point A to point B. In other words, take them somewhere they’ve never been before. Leaders are going somewhere. The child’s game “follow the leader” would be a total bore if the leader never moved! Leaders are tasked to envision a different future destination, then help their teams move to that place. This means the leader will offer guidance and coaching to each person on the team.
Truth vs. Opinion
Two types of guidance can be offered from the leader: Truth and Opinion. It’s important for leaders to understand the difference between the two before leading their teams.
Most of the feedback or constructive criticism you offer your team is just your opinion. While you’re the leader (read “boss”) your opinion is certainly important, but don’t fall into the trap of thinking that everything you speak while coaching is truth. Leaders who fall into this trap are seen as arrogant, or even worse, manipulative.
We’ll look at three characteristics of truth and how we can apply them in a leadership role to help our teams achieve new heights.
1. Truth doesn’t change
Truth is something that doesn’t change based on how I feel today, or what my morning commute was like or how my fantasy football team is doing. Truth is unchanging. For this universe to exist there must be laws outside of our own personal opinions. For example, if the laws of gravity were based on how I felt each day, my commute to the office would be much more exciting, but drastically more dangerous! Truth exists outside of my own preferences and feelings. It doesn’t change.
Applied Leadership:
Define and know your own core values. It will make all your decisions much easier. If the core values of the organization are known by all, the members of the team can also make their own decisions much easier. The core values of the leader and the organization should be grounded in unchanging truth. This makes it much easier for teams to apply the popular corporate mantra, “We always do what’s right!”
2. Truth is universal
Real truth applies to all. Regardless of the country or culture, 2 + 2 = 4. It always has and it always will. That is a universal truth. Regardless of how I feel today (happy, sad, excited, apathetic, etc.) 2 + 2 will remain 4. Regardless of your religious preference (including atheist and agnostic!), some form of the golden rule is accepted by all. Treating others as you would have them treat you is considered to be part of our moral fiber as humans. We could say, it’s a universal truth among moral, decent human beings.
Applied Leadership:
When someone on the team violates a corporate truth, always separate the person from the poor decision when dealing with it. We deal with the issue, not the person. Don’t allow bad decisions to be equated to bad people. When someone believes they are inherently bad, as opposed to a decision being bad, they feel helpless to change. “Well, that’s just me. I’m a (loser, screw up, amateur, half wit, bully, mean person, etc.) and that’ll never change.” Don’t allow this type of negative self-talk. Have a conversation to realign this person’s decisions and behaviors with the universal truths (core values.)
3. Truth is discovered
Real truth isn’t meant to be defined by the leader. Real truth is discovered. As we explore math and science further, we don’t define more truth, we discover it. Again, regardless of your religious preference, I don’t think any of us would be so arrogant to say that we define truth. We can discover it and we can speak it, but to be so arrogant to say that we have the authority to define it? Nope, I don’t think so.
Applied Leadership:
As leaders we should feel free to share our opinions. But, we should also speak our opinions knowing that others may disagree. True leaders should encourage deep dialogue and debate because it leads to the discovery of truth and stronger solutions.
So, where do I start?
Start by being authentic. This means knowing your own core values (based on truth). Then, keep your decisions and actions aligned with those core values. As John C. Maxwell points out, people will follow leaders at the highest level of leadership (Pinnacle) because of who they are and what they represent. Our ability to recognize the distinction between truth and opinion is a strong sign of leadership maturity. Lead with authenticity and stay true to your core values.
Always seeking to discover more truth,
Russ
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Books I’d Recommend for further reading:
The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential, by John C. Maxwell
Leaders Eat Last: Why some teams pull together and others don’t, by Simon Sinek
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
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Russ Peterson Jr. is the co-founder and Managing Director of iSpeak, Inc. – An award-winning professional development training company. Russ is a published author on Professional Sales Communication and Business Communication. He delivers workshops, keynotes, and personal communication coaching services to business professionals in the US and around the world. You can connect with Russ directly through Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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