tomjonez's blog

For the past two weeks I have discussed the thought that one of the most important decisions a leader can make is the people with whom he or she chooses to associate. I referred to King Solomon, who several millennia ago, expressed the insight that, ““Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”  As we ended the email last week, I asked for your input on the following questions: As a leader, what do you look for in friendships?  What qualities are important to you?

One of the most important decisions a leader can make is the people with whom he or she chooses to associate. Several Millennia ago, King Solomon expressed the following insight:

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Though this Middle-Eastern King lived in ancient times, he was considered then, and to this day remains, a source of the highest wisdom ever known.

Someone asked me the following question, “If you ever were to write a book on leadership, what would be the title?”

My response was immediate, “I would call it ‘1,001 Mistakes, and How to Avoid Them.’”

Here is what I meant by that answer…

In leadership, mistakes are inevitable.  And yet the reality is that mistakes are very valuable.  There are valuable because they can cost a lot; they can be painful (and usually are); they are memorable (pain is like that); and most importantly, because we can learn a lot from our mistakes.

What follows in response to a report that was in the news last week.

According to the journalist who wrote the article, and who was provided a written copy of the speech by officials close to the leader, a major international governmental leader gave a speech about an issue facing their Country.  In the relatively short speech, the leader used the words, “I,” “me,” or “my” over 195 times.

Really?

As those of us who live in America celebrate Independence Day on the 4^th of July, it causes me to pause and reflect on the bravery of those who have preserved our freedoms through service in the military as well as those who protect us here at home by serving as First Responders.

My encouragement to those of us who have leadership influence is that during this week let’s each find one or more ways to honor our military or first responders.