NR

Courage. Wisdom. Strength. Vision. Influence. We have no trouble associating these words with leadership. Grace doesn’t usually make the list.

After all, grace is a rather touchy-feely word, isn’t it? Preschool teachers have grace. Ice skaters move with grace. Elderly women are named Grace. It’s not exactly a word packed with power. At least, not at first glance.

What exactly does "grace" signify in a leadership context? According to Ray Blunt, grace means acknowledging and accepting imperfections, both in ourselves and others. When we infuse grace into our lives, the advantages we reap are manifold.

However, grace doesn’t usually find its way into boardrooms, strategy sessions, or creative meetings. Apparently, we see ourselves as too tough to carry grace into the workplace, or perhaps we deem the business climate too harsh for grace.

Whatever the case, grace gets left behind when we hit the office. Instead, we carp about a teammate’s shortcomings, pile cutting remarks on top of a co-worker’s failure, or complain about a leader’s missteps. We pass judgment quickly and effortlessly. We hold a magnifying glass above the mistakes of those around us, while we try to maintain a facade of perfection.

Without grace, a leader faces the twin perils of insecurity and irrelevance. On the other hand, by apprehending the quality of grace, a leader becomes labeled as secure and worthy or respect.

SECURITY

Leaders who accept their faults are not threatened when another person glimpses their flaws. Aware of their shortcomings, they surround themselves with teammates who possess strengths in the areas where they are weak. Conversely, leaders who haven’t come to grips with their shortcomings become defensive when confronted with their weaknesses. Ill at ease, such a leader is consumed by covering up their inabilities. They may spend so much time glossing over their flaws that they neglect build upon their strengths. Deceived by the myth of well-roundedness, they drain themselves trying to fix weaknesses rather than accepting themselves for who they are.

RESPECT

Leaders who accept the faults of others earn a reputation for being likable and worthy of respect. In tune with their own flaws, such leaders are more patient and understanding when those around them fail. While holding others accountable for their actions, graceful leaders demonstrate willingness to help others learn from mistakes, and they are open to granting others a second chance. On the other hand, ungracious leaders create a climate of fear by punishing failure. Intolerant of the blemishes in those around them, they have a harsh, unpleasant aura that drives others away.

SUMMARY

While grace may be a soft leadership competency, it’s an indispensable one. Secure leaders recognize their faults and bear the failures of others, and the poise and patience of a gracious leader will be rewarded with the respect of those they lead.

Ray Blunt has authored a valuable article covering the topic of grace and dealing with failures: "The Failures of Leaders"

 

Education

"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." ~ John Dewey

"Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere." ~ Chinese Proverb

"Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value." ~ Albert Einstein

"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." ~ Alvin Toffler

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." ~ William Butler Yeats

On this day...

• The only true morality - 2011