“Those who can, do. Those who can’t do, teach.” I have always hated that expression. It belittles one of the most noble professions anyone could choose. However, I have recently come to see that there is a kernel of truth buried within it. That truth isn’t that teachers are unable to do things. Rather, it is that teaching requires an objectivity and perspective that is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve while we are consumed with doing that thing.
There is one piece of advice I give to all of my clients – “Ask for help.” People want to help us solve the challenges that we face. Our friends and family do it because they care about us, and they want to see us succeed. Some people want to help us for less noble reasons. It may make them feel good about themselves. They may believe that helping us will make us more willing to help them when they need it. Regardless of the motivation, there are people willing to help if only we ask.
WOW!!! That’s all I can say. After more than three years in the making, I am sitting in my office staring at my book. It isn’t just mine, because so many people made it a reality, but there it is, If You Will Lead by Doug Moran. There are only a handful of days that I can recall feeling this proud and pleased – the days my children were born, our wedding day, the day Laurie agreed to marry me. That’s about it. So thank you for sharing it with me.
Too often, pop culture is a source of leadership failures. It’s hard to turn on the TV without seeing another celebrity providing another example of how not to act in polite society. es of celebrity behaviors as examples of true leadership are almost non-existent. I can’t remember ever feeling a burning desire to blog about celebrity leadership, but American Idol has changed that. I have seen two great examples of leadership lessons recently. This week I’ll focus on the most recent, and I’ll write about the other next week.
Last Sunday, February 6, 2011, America celebrated President Ronald Reagan’s 100th birthday. The media was full of tributes to our 40th President. It was awe-inspiring to watch and read the many stories and celebrations of Reagan’s life and leadership. He is my favorite modern president, so I found myself wanting to honor him appropriately.