— 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 above. —
“YOU’’ NEVER KNOW unless you try.” Those were the words of Rudy’s spouse. Rudy was my marksman. He’d say, “well, let’s give it our best shot.” We didn’t know if could stop crazed dogs from slaughtering our sheep herd, but we tried. And, you know, we did it. Only a few sheep were killed—when we hit a dog or two, they scattered.
I think leaders should combine the forgoing advice: “It’s worth a try, and a try is worth your best shot.” Until you try, nothing good happens. Give it a go, a real go. Apply yourself and see what happen. Maybe you won’t get any further than being encouraged to try again, differently, harder, in some way better. Wars were won with such tenacity. And airplanes were first flown, vast frontiers were crossed, and movements were launched because someone said they would try and try again. That someone, in every case, was a leader. Those who try can lead; those who don’t will never lead.