Recently I was asked to provide answers to some interesting questions for a legacy project of some sort. Here are three of the questions and the answers I gave. They are good questions. How would you answer them?
Q1: What do you think is often the difference between people who are good at what they do and people who are great at what they do?
The poet Robert Frost, in his poem ‘Two tramps in Mud Time’ wrote:
My object in living is to unite
/ My avocation and my vocation
/As my two eyes make one in sight. / Only where love and need are one, /
And the work is play for mortal stakes,
/ Is the deed ever really done
/ For Heaven and the future’s sakes
For me, herein sits the answer. It is when people understand what they do as part of their own life purpose.
Q2: What are the most important lessons you have learnt so far, in your career or life journey? This could be anything from very simple small lessons, too much larger bigger lessons.
I once asked a mentor of mind, Dr Dallas Willard, what was the ‘best advice’ he could offer me. I have never forgotten his response: he replied, “Never worry about the size of the stage in life that you feel called to perform on; worry more that you have something worthwhile to say”. His insight and wisdom has served as a ‘true north’ ever since. Leadership is more about the character ethic than it is about a set of skills and ability.
Q3: What would your practical advice be to someone who wanted to grow rich and build wealth?
Advice? I would rather pose several questions:
Are you really sure that this is what you want?
Why is wealth / riches so important to you?
What might be the cost of accumulating wealth?
What do you understand by wealth?
How will you know when ‘enough is enough’?
How will you keep perspective along this quest?
How will you ‘give’ as you ‘get’?
Smart leaders know the power and importance of great questions. With some adaption, these might be good questions to explore with your team. They are questions that might well lead to deeper and worthwhile conversations.
So, how would you answer these questions?
Three Reflective Questions for Leaders
