Three Minute Leadership: Always Remember Rule Number 6
Posted by: Michael M. Reuter on
3/14/2010
To: The Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning
In The Art of Possibility by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander, we find a simple story that teaches us how to bring about greater collaboration in our relations with others in our professional and personal life.
“Two prime ministers are sitting in a room discussing affairs of state. Suddenly a man burst in, apoplectic with fury, shouting and standing and banging his fist on the desk. The resident prime minister admonishes him; “Peter,” he says, “kindly remember Rule Number 6,” whereupon Peter is instantly restored to complete calm, apologizes, and withdraws. The politicians return to their conversation, only to be interrupted yet again twenty minutes later by an hysterical woman gesticulating widely, her hair flying. Again the intruder is greeted with the words: “Marie, please remember Rule Number 6.” Complete calm descends once more, and she too withdraws with a bow and an apology. When the scene is repeated for a third time, the visiting prime minister addresses his colleague: “My dear friend, I’ve seen many things in my life, but never anything as remarkable as this. Would you be willing to share with me the secret of Rule Number 6?” “Very simple,” replies the resident prime minister. “Rule Number 6 is ‘Don’t take yourself so g_damn seriously’” “Ah,” says his visitor, “this is a fine rule.” After a moment of pondering, he inquires, “And what may I ask, are the other rule?”
“There aren’t any.””
One of the questions I ask leaders as we discuss their leadership journey is what are the do’s and don’t they would recommend to others for a successful career. One of the most consistent responses in the ‘don’ts’ category is: Don’t take yourself seriously. They learned in their journey that position, power and influence didn’t give them the ability to know it all and have all the answers. They learned that it is wiser to listen to people’s ideas and perspectives with an open mind and genuine interest. They learned that when they took themselves seriously, they shut people down and distanced them. They learned how much more they could grow, add value and contribute to the business and others when they didn’t take themselves seriously.
Always remember Rule Number 6! Learn to laugh at your simple humanity. Remember the words of Heraclitus: “Man is most nearly himself when he achieves the seriousness of a child at play.”
Have a beautiful day and an incredible week!!!
Mike
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