In a post from the archive, Dave Mashburn reminds us that the best leaders are always searching for the hidden problems holding back their progress.
As a clinical psychologist, I’ve found the “presenting problem” often turns out to be an external symptom of a deeper underlying problem.
And humans are incredibly stubborn, short-sighted, committed to their biases and unable to assess their own blind spots.
Because of this blindness we need the input of others.
We need fresh eyes.
We need experts who know how to see through the symptoms and locate the core roadblocks.
But even great input from a trusted source will not illuminate problems unless it’s combined with an important character trait that great leaders possess.
In order to flourish, a leader must be humble enough to actively search for what they might be missing.
Humble leaders ask questions…lots of them.
They always want to know: What’s going on out there? What could I be missing?
Also, humble leaders don’t experience a mistake or a failure as an insult to their ego because they are free to self-examine and improve.
Input from others and humility—it’s a powerful combination for escaping the ruts that hold you back.