Beginning a New Year with Truth Telling - A Crucial Leadership Quality
Saturday December 27, 2014
“The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right name.”
Chinese proverb
Since I’m now based in China, I thought this enigmatic proverb might be an appropriate way to launch this next series of “Extraordinary Minutes.”
Often I’m so caught up in my vision or my story that I stray from rigorously telling myself (and others) the full truth. Whether it be your personal or professional history, or having, as the Buddhist sages say “a rigorous regard for reality,” being able to actualize a compelling future vision is dependent on first telling the truth about our past and current lives.
One of the ways I assist myself in personal and professional development, is to work hard to “live in the question;” to ask myself if my version of reality is …. real!
Another great tool is to have a friend or a support group test your version of reality. Of course, ideally they would know of your deeper purpose, vision and values so they would have a filter, a context within which to evaluate your statement. Even more importantly, you’ll need to actually LISTEN, free of judgment, blame or excuses.
This level of attention to self-directed honesty is rare … and powerful. To those who just celebrated the Western New Year and to those anticipating Chinese New Year in February, please accept my very best wishes that you enjoy every possible success, joy and satisfaction during the New Year and always.
With love and respect,
Robert White
Robert White is a Speaker, Author, Leadership Trainer and Executive Mentor who teaches the art and science of mastering executive challenges. He specializes in integrating a heart centered, result-oriented and transformational leadership approach to being effective. His experience includes founding and leading companies doing high-impact experiential learning events with over one million graduates.
Robert’s culture change work has been praised by corporations like JPMorganChase, Progressive Insurance, Duke Energy and The American Cancer Society.
Additionally top business experts and authors Ken Blanchard, Jimmy Calano, Kathy Gardarian, and Robert Wright, plus thousands of training and mentoring clients, have endorsed his professional knowledge and skills.
Robert authored the best-seller “Living an Extraordinary Life” available in English and Mandarin. He is a contributing author to “Being Fuller” a compilation from students of Buckminster “Bucky” Fuller and “One World, One People,” a photo journal of mankind’s journey to oneness.
Today you’ll find him speaking at conferences, hosting masterminds, mentoring today’s emerging business leaders and teaching everything he knows about fostering entrepreneurial success and building an entrepreneurial mindset in established, growth-oriented companies.
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