Listen now | Impulsiveness is usually rewarded as though impetuousness is the best path to success.However, in the reality of everyday human existence, how frequently do we face such stark and immediate choices that demand instant action? And when we do act thoughtlessly in such situations, how often does it turn out a-ok?
Such great advice! “When you don’t know what to do, do nothing. Be still.” This is a hard one for leaders since they want to be seen as action oriented. Better to gather data and insights, then make the call then rush forward!
As I read this, I think about the dichotomy of leadership - operating in the gray. Simple, but not easy.
These situations are rarely alike, requiring much discernment. Nonetheless, pausing for calibration is an extensible principle to various scenarios.
The pause could be a literal meta-moment to decide whether to intervene in a life-threatening situation, or it could be a day to sit with personnel decision alternatives to avoid making a rash choice while maintaining decisiveness.
And with the concept of the pendulum swinging, which you highlight in your own words, it's easy to take this too far and slip into the trap of taking no action at all when a decision is required. In other words, stillness is a choice and skill to develop.
Such great advice! “When you don’t know what to do, do nothing. Be still.” This is a hard one for leaders since they want to be seen as action oriented. Better to gather data and insights, then make the call then rush forward!
As I read this, I think about the dichotomy of leadership - operating in the gray. Simple, but not easy.
These situations are rarely alike, requiring much discernment. Nonetheless, pausing for calibration is an extensible principle to various scenarios.
The pause could be a literal meta-moment to decide whether to intervene in a life-threatening situation, or it could be a day to sit with personnel decision alternatives to avoid making a rash choice while maintaining decisiveness.
And with the concept of the pendulum swinging, which you highlight in your own words, it's easy to take this too far and slip into the trap of taking no action at all when a decision is required. In other words, stillness is a choice and skill to develop.