InspirEmail

InspirEmail No 288 - February 2015 - Bear's Tips for would-be Leaders
'Inspirational messages to refresh the spirit and boost the emotional bank account'

Bear's Tips for would-be Leaders

A teacher was sitting at her desk grading papers when her first grade class came back from lunch. One of her students informed her . . . 'Robert has to go to the principal's office.'

'I wonder why?' the teacher mused.

'Because he's a following person,' the child replied.

'A what?' the teacher asked.

'It came over the loudspeaker . . . The following persons are to go to the office.'

If some people are following persons, then others must be leading persons. And actually, we are each followers and leaders at different times. Sometimes we drive the bus, sometimes we're along for the ride or we help navigate.

But if you are ever in a leading position, this advice from college football coaching legend 'Bear' Bryant about how to get the best from those around you can be useful.

'I'm just a plow hand in Arkansas,' Bear said, 'but I have learned how to hold a team together. How to lift some men up, how to calm down others, until finally they've got one heartbeat together, a team. There are just three things I'd ever say.'

'If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, then we did it. If anything goes real good, then you did it. That's all it takes to get people to win football games for you.

I think that is advice worth remembering, no matter who we are, but particularly for anyone who might find themselves in a leading role. Call them Bear's tips for would-be leaders . . .

1. When you're involved in any endeavour that doesn't go well, assume appropriate responsibility for the outcome. No excuses. Nurse Florence Nightingale said, 'I attribute my success to this . . . I never gave or took any excuse.' If you're in charge and it doesn't go well, let it be on you. Good leaders can take it.

2. When the outcome isn't brilliant, but still okay, share the success with others. No leader achieves anything alone and everyone else can use the boost. Above all, never look for somebody to blame. We take credit for the good and bad together.

3. Finally, when things go especially well, give credit to others. Do you remember what T. S. Eliot said? 'Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important.' Let go of a need for personal recognition. Heap kudos on others and they'll perform even better next time. Leaders are only as good as those who follow them and followers are at their best when leaders are quick to give credit for successes.

There they are . . . Bear's tips for would-be leaders. Follow them and you'll find more success the next time you're a leading person.

Written by Steve Goodier 

Featured Positive Inspirational Story

Lessons from Geese

Lessons from Geese provides a perfect example of the importance of team work and how it can have a profound and powerful effect on any form of personal or business endeavour. When we use these five principles in our personal and business life it will help us to . . . read more >>>

Thanks for always being there

The world is moving faster now; we're on a changing course.

But you have helped me deal with life; you've been a stable force.

When I have had to follow; new directions, you were there.

When the world was hard on me; you always seemed to care.

When nothing held together; made the slightest bit of sense.

You have always helped restore; my inner confidence.

Everyone needs someone; who's reliable and true.

Through the moments I've endured.

Author Unknown

- Inspirational Quote -

Without a doubt, providing recognition is one of the best ways (if not the best way) to build and maintain superior performance. The reason for that is quite simple: reinforced behaviour gets repeated.
Eric Harvey

View more Inspirational Quotes >>>

Archived InspirEmail

Top of page

InspirEmail

A monthly positive inspirational story and quote to refresh your spirit and boost the emotional bank account. InspirEmail was first published in November 2005 and each issue can be viewed in the Archived InspirEmail Directory located below the latest issue of InspirEmail


View the latest issue of InspirEmail


Positive Inspirational Images
Positive Inspirational Stories
Positive Inspirational Quotes