Advice and Humility

English author Samuel Johnson gave this sage comment, “Advice is seldom welcome. Those who need it most, like it least.” In my years of experience in sales management and marketing I have found that comment is so true of most managers on up to the President’s level and above. Most people feel they have “arrived” and know much more than those “beneath” them.

The real truth is found in the comment given to Bill Walton by legendary coach John Wooden when Bill was graduating from college. He said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”

Wise managers and true leaders show respect to those they lead by listening, learning, and empowering people they lead. Humility in a leader is rare but those that possess it are respected and revered by their followers.

Talk is Cheap

The great steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie knew how to measure a person by simply watching them. He said, “As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say, I just watch what they do.” Although Andrew Carnegie passed away in 1919 his sage advice lives on today and is still one of the best ways to measure the character of a person.

The statement, “talk is cheap” goes hand in hand with watching what a person does. Years ago, a person’s word was their bond. If a deal was “struck” and people shook hands on the agreement it was as good as gold. No attorneys were required, no long documents; a man’s word was binding. In “those days,” a person’s integrity meant something to them. Most would rather die than lose their good name.

Unfortunately, a person’s word does not mean what it did in the past. People will say anything to get what they want regardless of the truth of their statement or the intentions and motives they possess. In most cases, it is wise to watch what a person does before listening to what they say. It is disappointing that the virtues of honesty and integrity are taking such a beating.

As a manager or leader of people, can your employee’s trust your words and do your actions support or detract from what you say? Leaders who inspire, do so with actions that show they possess intergrity and can be trusted. Are you one of these leaders?