“The people with the greatest love, not the most information, will influence us to change.”
Bob Goff
Bob Goff is the New York Times best-selling author of the book Love Does. His quote reminds us it isn’t what you know that matters as much as how you behave. You may have all the knowledge in the world on important subjects, which will make you an expert, but if you don’t have the social skills to lead others with love, you won’t be very effective.
Goff shared a story in a blog post about Galileo, a scientist who used a telescope to determine that the Earth and the other planets rotated around the sun. At the time, this went against the standard beliefs in science and led to Galileo’s arrest and jailing. What Galileo discovered was the truth, but his truth threatened those in leadership, and instead of listening, they reacted defensively.
As leaders, it’s important to realize that information changes and that sometime down the line, someone might prove what we think we know to be ineffective or wrong. As a leader, how you treat others is more important than what you know. Here are some key concepts to keep in mind.
Key Concept #1 – Being challenged doesn’t require defensiveness.
Some leaders feel that no one should challenge their authority. A leadership role holds an expectation of authority and, in most cases, deserves respect. However, seek to earn respect. If your authority is challenged, hold your peace, maintain your maturity, and determine if the challenge is worthy. If worthy, embrace the challenge and work together to seek a solution, remedy, or embrace the new information with gratitude.
Key Concept #2 – Seek to inspire, not command
Leadership should inspire others to want to take action on behalf of the leader or the common goal the leader represents. How you treat others will determine how willing they are to serve the cause. Great leaders inspire people to go beyond what they might do on their own. By serving as an example, doing the work alongside others, and being the hardest working member of the group, leaders can encourage others also to give their best.
Key Concept #3 – Surround yourself with people smarter than you are
Great leaders know that life’s an ever-evolving thing and requires lifelong learning. No one person can know everything in all areas. Strong leaders surround themselves with people smarter than they are in certain areas, empower them, and support them to shine. They aren’t threatened by someone else’s knowledge or the fact they don’t know everything. True leadership includes the humility of being less knowledgeable and making no apologies. What you know isn’t as important as how you operate. Being a great leader includes knowing your stuff, but more importantly, it includes being kind, and compassionate, and treating those you lead with dignity and respect.
PS: This article is part of a 7-day challenge to transform your leadership. You can catch up with the other days by clicking on the respective links below:
Day #1: You are Always Leading – On and Off Duty
Day #2: 3 Habits to Break That Will Make You a Better Leader
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