12/2: Leadership is a Never-Ending Journey on a High Road with Many Forks

A very dear friend of mine once said to me that “one rarely regrets taking the high road.” Though speaking in terms of moral and ethical behavior, which is indeed the behavior to be expected of the leader, it struck me that this is the position of the true leader. The true leader is the pinnacle of responsibility for the ethical and moral culture of the organization, as well as its sustained success.

It is as President Harry S Truman said: “The buck stops here.”

Or as Hopper said in A Bug’s Life, “First rule of leadership, everything is your fault.”

And back, once again, to President Truman, who said “The President—whoever he is—has to decide. He can't pass the buck to anybody. No one else can do the deciding for him. That's his job.”

This high road is a road of many forks, and leadership requires decisiveness when these forks are encountered. Baseball player (and Hall of Famer) Yogi Berra offers simple, practical advice for decision making. Berra says, “When you come to the fork in the road, take it.” Famous almost as much for his baseball success as unique use of the English language, Berra is telling us, in his own way, that, when faced with a decision, make it. Seek the advice and counsel of your colleagues and confidants, consider the ramifications of your decision, accept the responsibility of your decision, and learn from your mistakes. Change leadership requires action, and not to decide is a denial of your fiduciary responsibility of those whom you lead.

I challenge you all, to stop, look, and listen and, most of all, follow. Follow well those ahead of you, and look for opportunities to follow those whom you lead. When the time comes to lead change, embrace it, and embrace it with others.