Pink Elephant Blog
Honesty
I'm spending a lot of time these days preparing for my half-day "ITSM Leadership MasterClass" workshop next month in Las Vegas. One area I'm learning more and more about are the positive traits that great leaders have in common. Specifically, what it is that causes us to follow a leader. One thing is clear, if you're an ITSM leader, it's not enough just to follow a set of "leadership rules" and expect to see everyone fall into place behind you. It's not as simple as that! There are occasions when great judgment is needed and the wrong decision can send everyone spinning off in the wrong direction - no matter how smart, honest, determined, confident or clear you might be in your messaging. For example, if you're anxious for people to buy-in to your vision, it must be tempting to stretch the truth a bit, talking things up to make it sound like we're all headed for utopia and there are no risks. But one leadership trait that crops up again and again is how raw honesty can be put to good use to really get across how important the issues are. Here's a couple of examples of what I mean. We have since learned that Winston Churchill and his government during the Second World War were very selective with the truth day-to-day during the conflict. The justification being that publishing bad news would affect morale. Well, in Churchill's first speech to the House of Commons after his appointment as Prime Minister in May 1940 he had this to say: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I can say - It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us. To wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word, it is "victory". Victory at all costs; victory in spite of all terror; victory, however long and hard the road may be. Wow! Chillingly honest for sure! But also inspiring, don't you think? People must have thought "This is going to be tough. Don't know if we'll succeed, but we MUST give it every effort." And then this example. The famous advert that Earnest Shackleton is reputed to have used to recruit men for his expedition to the South Pole: "Men Wanted for Hazardous Journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete dark-ness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success." Wow! Would you sign up for that? Well, both Shackleton & Churchill are often referred to as "great leaders". They had a way with words and you have to say, at least in these two examples, they were as honest as the day is long! I'm looking forward to discussing many more fine leadership qualities with everyone in the MasterClass next month.
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