There is an absolute truth in being an entrepreneur that you will be out of your depth on many occasions. Knowing this fact makes it easier to shift your perspective from a defensive stance to a position on learning from unexpected sources. I recently encountered a similar situation with a younger member of a board for a national organization, here’s what I learned.
While it’s fine to be decisive, you have to learn how to bend.
No one likes a rigid personality and in business it doesn’t serve you very well. In a leadership position you have to make unpopular decisions and more often than not, those decisions run counter to your views. The idea that you know best without any input from anyone else is dangerous and it can stunt the growth of your company and end innovation before it starts.
Wait 24 hours before you make a decision to quit
Templers flare and decisions are often colored with your personal perspective. Just because it is business doesn’t make it any less emotional, so give you time to work through the emotional bit. You need to be able to ask you ‘Is this decision what’s best for the organization?’ If the answer is no, but it’s what you want to do then you aren’t ready to make a decision.
Know when to quit
Management is about leading and leading is about following, so to be effective you have to know when to stop pushing. It’s great to have passion and it’s great to discuss issues, but it is not a good idea to beat a dead horse. If the majority has shown that they want to go another way and you are heading a collaborative leadership, then you have your answer whether you like it or not.
Just because your view didn’t win, doesn’t make it wrong or the wrong idea
The notion that only the best ideas get picked is a bit of a fairy tale. Business is just like every other situation and sometimes you make the wrong call. If every time your idea isn’t picked up you throw a hissy fit then you aren’t quite ready to lead. You have to know how to take criticism gracefully, because as the leader you are the biggest target.
Running a business or being in a leadership position is hard work and the rules constantly change. I learned a little bit more about leadership and I hope you have too.
