I think that it was Dr Jordan Peterson who said that we are born either conservative or liberal, and that the world’s population is divided equally in these categorizations. And that directionally conservatives excel in management and liberals in entrepreneurship.
It would be extremely beneficial if we valued these differences and focused on synergies, but extremism on both sides is toxic, an environment where there is no common ground to explore alternatives that are an improvement (not a compromise).
Politics is not within my circle of influence, I simply observe, question and learn in order to have an educated vote next time around. Mentoring in leadership is something that I do, but also here I am observing wide gaps, in competencies.
This post was sparked by a coaching assignment in an international company where in the same location I encountered both the highest-level potential and the weakest in leadership. Below is a quick list of widening opposites that I increasingly observe.
Those who recognize and reward high performance vs. those who give participation prizes to all. My view, A players are a company’s biggest asset and poor performers a liability. A players leave when their performance is not valued.
Those who take responsibility, think bigger, value respect over being liked, say no when it should be no vs. those who blame others, think small and say yes when it should be no. My view, the difference manifests in inner security, hence my focus on building self-esteem and a character founded on proper principles and values.
Those with an abundance mentality who practice cooperation and act win/win vs. those with a scarcity mentality who see life as a competition with others and who act win/lose; the latter often playing out in an authoritarian leadership style. My view, it comes down to how much people own themselves vs. being an image of the social mirror.
Those who talk the fight and those who fight the fight; those who sell a dream and deliver a nightmare; those who do what they say and those who do not deliver on their promises; those who build relationships and those who cannot keep them; those who self-reflect and those who “believe” that they know everything. I use the word BELIEVE ironically because I question whether they really do believe.
Those who own themselves are not afraid to ask for help, own up and apologize sincerely. Insecure leaders seldom ask for help, or others’ opinions; they hide mistakes and hardly ever apologize for them. Just like women are attracted to strong men, young aspiring associates want strong leadership. In my mentoring I do not wrap stuff in cotton wool, but equally I am never hurtful in my forthright approach to the need for courageous leadership.
Think Bigg-r 