Leadership Lessons From a Broken Boat

The pressure of adversity does not affect the mind of the brave man…It is more powerful than the external circumstance. Seneca

Change is best led by those who have sailed in broken boats.  Because the lessons learned from adversity are more powerful teachers than the lessons of success.  Navigating change with the insight and preparation required to achieve broader and more satisfying results, requires the experience of fixing broken masts and torn sails with duct tape, chewing gum and a whole lot of adaptive ingenuity.

When searching for your program managers, change leaders or other key project resources ask them to tell you about their failures and mistakes.  Those stories will tell you more than their academic or corporate pedigree.  The deception of the perfect resume is that it doesn’t reveal the perfect knowledge required to lead change.

Seek change leaders who have weathered the storm and you will find leaders with the courage and spirit to stay the course.