‘Leadership is Lonely’ is the last of Colin Powell’s 18 Rules of Command (click here for link), that I first saw published whilst he was still serving in the US Army.
Since then they have morphed into ’13 Rules of Leadership’ and have softened a little, probably to make them more palatable for civvy street.
However, in my opinion, the 18 all still ring true and apply to every leader in every organisation, to varying degrees…
The rules were first presented to me 25 years ago as I stepped into my first senior leadership position and took, as my manager at the time referred to it, the ‘Kings Shilling’. I have often shared them with colleagues, as I find the stark simplicity of them very useful when dealing with some complex issues in the workplace, and knowing that…
“yes, you can’t be everyone’s friend all the time, and you do have to p### some people off sometimes”
…is the reality of life as a leader, can be very comforting.
Having recently taken on a consultancy role, at present working with SME’s, I am finding out quite how difficult it can be to have the role as an owner-manager of a business. Knowing how every decision can have a big impact on the future, and that the team is too small to have anyone in the business understand it the way you do, means there is never anyone to discuss complex decisions with… and at times like this, leadership must feel very lonely.
Working with one SME in particular right now it’s great to see that owner is learning that it doesn’t have to be like that. Like me, he is an Engineer, so whether the discussion be technical or business related, we are able to bounce thoughts and ideas around, debate complex situations looking at them from different angles, and when a decision is made, know that it is thoroughly tested and challenged.
Going through this experience makes me realise how lonely it must be for so many owner-managers in the middle of this Covid crisis:
- so many key decisions
- so little time
- so much change
- no-one to talk to….
If you are in that position, please don’t be alone – read Colin Powell’s rules, just that may help.
If not, please reach out, there are local business organisations out there to help you, as well as professionals such as myself – having been there, seen it, done that, got the t-shirt – it’s what we do…