— To follow is a bullet of wisdom on leadership. It comes from Tom’s rifle, named Shot, who has seen it all. You’ll get the drift by clicking Blog in the menu at www.tomnewhouse.com.
I’D RATHER BE PRAISED. But blame comes with the territory. Oh, I was blamed a lot: “Dumb gun, can’t shoot straight with this old relic.” Oooh, that hurt. I’m glad I had many praises from Rudy to offset blame.
My advice to leaders is to maintain perspective when faced with blame or praise. Neither may be fully deserved, but leaders get shoveled amounts of both disproportionate to their actual participation. This advice is also provided in Leadership in Turbulent Times with an account of Abe Lincoln wherein he once acknowledged a lost campaign by saying he was like a boy who stubbed his toe: “…too big to cry and far too badly hurt to laugh.” Don’t get sucked in or under. Lead on.