Leadership Isn't For Cowards: How to Drive Performance by Challenging People and Confronting Problems

Chapter 13

Do You Remember a Time when You Hesitated and Lost?

Act or be lost in the back of the pack. This entire section points to the simple truth that action is usually the key to solving problems, achieving goals, and enjoying the most success. It is interesting that when we hear other people explain their failures to achieve goals or to meet expectations, we think they’re making excuses, but when we explain our own failures, we’re giving reasons. Can we just take a minute here to admit that most of the reasons why we don’t succeed are because we didn’t do something? That most of our reasons are actually excuses? In our litigious, lawsuit-heavy climate, everyone seems to have become more hesitant. When did we begin to soften so much? When did we become so comfortable making excuses for our failure to act?

As I write this, the U.S. economy is full of uncertainty and the electorate’s palpable frustration with the federal government is at an all-time high. Ask the average person on the street and they will tell you that the bulk of their frustration is due to politicians’ failure to act and get engaged with the nation’s problems. When blame is the primary strategic tool, as in much of politics, failure is the likely result. It’s no different in business. When time and energy is wasted on excuse-making and hesitation, you and your team will feel the drain. Do not hesitate. Do not tolerate hesitation. Decide, then act.

To what extent is your leadership style action-oriented? If ...