— 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 HATED being in the hands of a man who could not control his temper. (That would go for women too, but I never was handled by an ill-tempered woman, although I’m sure there is one somewhere.) What’s a firearm to do in the hands of a hothead? Unfortunately, we do what we are told.
Leadership is a firearm. Let that sink in. Leadership is a privileged tool, and it can be virtuous or vile. Everyone has a temper. Fools have not learned how to control it, to hold it in check. To lead well is to exercise discipline in the face of provocation. To be influenced by one’s temper is to trod a fool’s path. Leaders must temper their tempers.