Jono Hennessy Sceats is a good mate and I always enjoy a conversation with him.
This week we were discussing leadership in preparation for Responsible Leadership 2010.
Jono was saying how his father was a bit of a larrikin, though always had good advice.
He recalls two favourites of his father...
"Always say yes to your mother, whilst doing something else"
"Tell others you don't know how to do it and see who does"
After mulling these tips over for decades, Jono sees them a very good advice for leaders.
You see, by telling your mother that you are doing one thing whilst doing another - you are saving her from knowledge that she might not want to know and will unlikely benefit from if she did know. At the same time you are following your own direction and beliefs - learning in your own way.
So could this be a service to those you love or care about through a small white lie or information omission?
We look forward to your thoughts...
By letting others step in and help you do (what you may even be able to do yourself), lets them take control of their destiny and receive the credit for it.
This is a key focus of delegation - though in this case the leader is not delegating - just letting people step in and help.
Helping is a core interest of all people. There is lots of research on why people like to help others. It is satisfying for our spirit or personalities and highly rewarding to help somebody, with no return expected.
Karma shows however that often the rewards come in cycles through other means.
As always, conversations with Jono are enlightening and we look forward to his contributions for Responsible Leadership 2010.
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