Timeout for Leadership-your one-minute leadership idea

Op-ed #18

Do you know when to hold ‘em, when to fold ‘em, when to walk away and when to run?

Greetings:  Even in the midst of the crisis that we are all dealing with, I trust that you had a happy spring holiday season.  Additionally, I hope everyone is healthy and staying safe.

Fact:

Sometimes, it is just better to walk away.

As we mourn the loss of music icon Kenny Rogers, it may well behoove us to take a longer look at the lyrics of The Gambler, one of Rogers’ biggest hits.

Let’s for a moment use the card game scenario that he sings about as a metaphor for our leadership positions.  You are the only one that knows the cards that you are dealt.  You are the only one that knows what specific situation that you may be dealing with in the workplace.  You know the ramifications of your choices.  And although it may be attractive to always walk away with a win-win outcome, you also know that most situations in reality, may only present a win-lose opportunity.

And you, by possessing all of the facts and data at your fingertips, must know when it is just better to throw the cards back in and fold.  It is more important to be left standing for you to play the next hand. 

You would probably feel cheated if I didn’t share an athletic comparison, so I will.  As a quarterback, rather than forcing a pass into a well-covered defense, it is better to just throw the ball away, regroup and run the next play.  By forcing a pass, you run the risk of a catastrophic outcome.  Of course, I know that great athletes will make the occasional great play because of their athleticism or just plain luck, but the odds are not with them.  As a coach, probably the most frustrating concept that you have to teach to the young quarterback is to throw the ball into the stands if needed, and live to fight another day.

Every issue cannot escalate into a fight.  Most people may argue that the bully has to be punched squarely in the mouth.  And this may in fact be the case.  However, sometimes it is just smarter to walk away.  One of the most challenging facets of your job as a principal, or leader is to know when to do exactly that.  Prepare for that battle or to just walk away.  And I know that as a young administrator this was hard to do.  I wanted to go to battle when each controversy arose.  This was foolish and I quickly learned the skill of walking away.  As a matter of fact, not only did I learn this skill, I knew when to not only walk nut to run.  You develop that sixth sense of knowing when to fight.

You have to live for the next day.  Every issue cannot escalate into your personal Waterloo.  If you do, you will soon be remembered as the former principal, the former administrator, the former head coach or the former CEO.  Good luck.