- I am often asked what I have learned or observed about leadership based on working with more than 500 Christian business leaders around the world over the past 30 years.
Over the years, I have come across sayings that have stuck with me. There is a grain of truth in most of them and some comic relief in others. Here are my top ten sayings.
1. “The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese"
When I taught strategic planning at a university business school, I loved using this line. Students would do a double take. The bottom line is that first in is not always the optimal approach. In some cases, companies win by improving upon the first into the market. It’s all in the application.
2. “If you choose not to get involved in politics, you’ll be controlled by those who do”
Ouch. I heard this from a politician. Yes, it’s so true. We can complain, but if we don’t step up and get involved, others will and we’ll be controlled by them. So, if you want to complain, look in the mirror.
3. “Leave something on the table”
I’ve heard this from various business leaders over the years. If you are doing a deal, make sure it is worthwhile for the other party. Word gets around. Squeezing someone for everything doesn’t work in the long term.
4. “Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that experience comes from bad judgment”
The most valuable lessons are often birthed in the most painful experiences. The more money you lose on a deal, the more you tend to remember. And you don’t want to repeat the experience. When you get involved in a bad business relationship from which it is hard to be extricated, you reflect back on how you ended up there.
5. “You can’t always pay back, but you can always pay forward.”
There seem to be many instances where someone more senior than you can offer great wisdom or leverage their relationships for your benefit. There is truly little you can do in order to reciprocate. However, you can honour the relationship and the experience by paying it forward and doing the same for someone else.
6. “It is easier to be an optimist if you have prepared contingency plans like a pessimist.”
This is a variation of planning for success but being prepared for the challenges that may come. We know that markets have cycles and we need to be able to be prepared. So, you need to prepare for contingences, but still get excited about opportunities.
7. “Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic was built by professionals.”
This is a comical reminder that experts might be knowledgeable, but many inexperienced people who have good sense have come up with lots of good ideas. For example, the inventor of the marine chronometer—the device that solved the centuries-old problem of determining longitude at sea—was John Harrison, an English self-taught carpenter and clockmaker. In the early 1700s, he created a clock that kept incredibly precise time on a moving ship, which allowed sailors to calculate their east-west position.
8. “It all comes out in the wash.”
Businesspeople can get involved in all sorts of sticky situations. I have known many business people that have gotten sued and their character maligned as part of the shenanigans of the legal process. As a lawyer by training, I am well aware that we have an adversarial system to determine truth. The process encourages accusations to be flung like manure. It is cold comfort, but as with any accusations, the truth will eventually come out. It may take a while, but you will be vindicated—sometimes, sadly, decades later. It will all come out in the wash.
9. “The best time to plant the seed was 100 years ago. The second-best time is now.”
People often bemoan timing. They missed out on the cycle. But the reality is that people need to think long term. Start now, don’t be bitter that you missed out on market timing.
10. “He’s too smart by half.”
I think that this is an expression out of England. The basic concept is that sometimes people are too smart for their own good. For example, the “not-so-bright” person jumps into the property market, takes risk, and makes a bunch of money. The smart person has analyzed the market 100 ways (paralysis through analysis) and decides against it. We soon learn in life that rewards come commensurate with risk.