Permission to Ask For Help – really
Bill George, a Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School has recently published 7 Lessons for Leading in Crisis,
According to George, here are the 7 principles:
- Face reality, starting with yourself.
- Don’t be Atlas; get the world off your shoulders.
- Dig deep for the root cause.
- Get ready for the long haul.
- Never waste a good crisis.
- You’re in the spotlight: follow your True North.
- Go on offense: focus on winning now.
Here’s what George has to say about this dilemma:
One of the great myths of leadership in recent years is that leaders have to appear strong and invulnerable to mistakes and pressures. All of us without exception make mistakes and will capitulate under enough pressure. The key is being open with others, taking them into your confidence, admitting your mistakes, and looking to them for advice and support. Rarely does anyone turn down a leader who genuinely asks for help.
Yet we’re exposed regularly by the media to the stereotype of the flawless leader who always has an answer and is never left questioning a decision. While most leaders know this is a fantasy, they still struggle with admitting their own vulnerability when a situation goes awry and crisis strikes. It’s as if doing so is tantamount to admitting failure as a leader.
What are you supposed to do to avoid this?
- Express humility.
- Reveal (selective) vulnerabilities.
- Cultivate an air of openness.
- Encourage candor by embracing it yourself.
