We are not nearly as rational as we think we are. Our default behaviors are largely driven by emotion, passions, and self-interest. It takes significant effort to pause and reflect. It takes strong discipline to separate our actions enough from emotional responses that we can be thoughtful and decisive. It takes courage to stand on principles and facts in the face of headwinds and tailwinds of trends and popular enthusiasm.
“Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one.” (Charles Mackay, from “Memoirs of Extraordinarily Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds”)
Mackay published this book in… wait for it…1841. We know many more examples of mad herds in the years since.
Part of your craft of leadership must be training yourself to “step up and out” of situations to better analyze what’s happening, and make decisions accordingly. In the heat of events you revert back to your level of training and practice, not what you read about or heard once upon a time. Therefore, build intentional practice and training into your self-care, so you an better lead others.
You see common patterns and practices in every biography of leaders worth emulating:
- Time invested regularly in solitude
- Journaling and conversations with trusted colleagues to explore complex ideas
- Study of historical examples
- Walking and other forms of exercise
- Surrounding themselves with disciplined people
- Delegating tasks to others, and abdicating from less important activity
These behaviors provide grounding, place you in the path of wisdom, and build your strength.
