Leadership Thought: Are You a People Person or a Pencil Pusher?

Dear Friends

Each morning I try and take a few minutes of time to listen to Minute with Maxwell, a daily e-mail thought on some aspect of leadership by leadership expert John Maxwell. This morning I thought his message was especially timely. He talked about openness, and in this day of polarizing viewpoints, I thought his comments were very timely.

He talked about the importance of openness. Good leaders have an ‘open door policy.’ They are approachable. You know they are available when you need them. Good leaders are open, inviting, and accessible. Good leaders are more than just pencil pushers, they are people persons. They see interruptions as opportunities, and they don’t hesitate to put others’ needs before their own.

But John Maxwell not only talked about the importance of having an open-door policy, but of having an open ear and open-heart policy.

Leadership expert Ken Blanchard has coined a phrase that I have always tried to emulate. It is called “Management by Walking Around.” It means wherever you are, be intentional in using your ears in seeking to discover others’ needs. Always look for opportunities as “you walk through the crowd slowly,”  seeking to discern those whom you can encourage, affirm and lift up.  

Besides having an open door and open ear and heart, it is also important to have an open mind. Let’s be willing to listen and learn from others, no matter how much you may know, there is always an opportunity to learn something new, even from those with whom you may not agree.  

During this time when it is tempting to pursue a bunker mentality, where we choose to hide out with  people that look, and think and live like us, let’s use this time to be open and approachable to others who are different from us.

 It has been said that when the student is ready, the teacher will come, and each of us can learn something new and valuable if we listen and learn with a “student’s ear.” When we are ready to do this, there is no telling how much we might learn.

And in learning, let us keep in mind the wise old words of former President Lyndon Johnson  who said, “You aren’t learning anything when you’re talking."

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom