Neglect self-development; sacrifice potential.
Prioritize the acquisition of practical know-how in order to maximize impact.
Wisdom is practical know-how, not theory.
The 7 pursuits of successful leaders:
- Practical know-how.
- Meaningful contribution.
- Deep relationships.
- Maximized talent.
- Productive teams.
- Expansive alliances.
- Remarkable results.
Don’t focus on gaining money, position, or prestige. Focus on developing useful skills.
The 12 sources of practical know-how:
- Finish things. Any knucklehead can start. It takes practical know-how to finish.
- Embrace the successes of others. Jealousy closes minds.
- Get up, after falling down. Practical know-how is found in getting up. Don’t beat yourself up – pick yourself up.
- Act on your highest point of confidence. If you aren’t sure what to do, do something that won’t make things worse.
- Press through adversity.
- Teach. Teachers always learn more than students.
- Figure out what works. Let others point out wrongs, you point out rights. It takes insight to identify behaviors that sustain and enhance success.
- Lean into confusion and create clarity.
- Learn from the mistakes of others. Accelerate your journey by avoiding what doesn’t work.
- Follow positive energy.
- Close your mouth.
- Act as if someone is watching, even when they aren’t.
Leaders with practical know-how:
- Make life better for others.
- Develop leaders.
- Inspire loyalty.
- Hold strong opinions with an open mind.
- Have tender hearts.
- Possess integrity, honesty, moral fortitude, and tender hearts.
- Make decisions based on principle, not the personalities involved. Leaders who bow down to power end up abusing those without power.
What are the sources of practical know-how?
What prevents leaders from developing practical know-how?