Note: Running Fridays in FromGregsHead.com, is a continuing series of tips brought to you by Greg Price. These run Saturday mornings during the BusinessMaker’s Radio Show on KPRC 950AM. Audio files can be found on the PKF Texas – Entrepreneur’s Playbook® page of the PKF Texas website.
Recently, I introduced you to the leadership concept of being a “Learner” as opposed to being viewed as a “Knower”. As part of my leadership class we studied this concept for quite a while as many of us were in our mid 40s to mid 50s. As such, we are probably going to be in the workplace for a long time as the boomers start to retire in the next few years. This will put us in contact with lots of young, eager, and passionate, but inexperienced workers. The challenge is how to get them working with you at their optimal levels.
Here are some concepts for you to ponder as you challenge your own view of how others look at you as a leader:
1. In order to learn, ignorance “not knowing” is the starting point; yet to admit that we don’t know is a threat to our self-esteem and our public image.
2. Our culture appreciates knowledge (either real or apparent) more than it does a willingness to learn.
3. In order to create learning organizations, it’s necessary to allow ignorant organizations
Finally, people trust leaders who are “LEARNERS”, because they are confidence-based (vs. fear-based) and are authentic.
Ask yourself the following question: “Do you love the truth more than you love your face?”