A leader who lives by impulse is like the dog riding the monkey. Appetite, pride, or emotional impulse yank them in every direction. Impulse in charge creates piles of rubble.
Rise above following emotion, lead.
3 Anchors for Leaders
Skillful leaders cultivate emotional control.
Freedom isn’t giving in; it’s self-control.
- Wisdom – Think consequences. Ask, “Where does this road lead?” before you act.
- Truth – Live your values, not your impulses. Ask, “What do my values tell me?”
- Conviction – Lead beyond ego. Ask, “How does this serve others?”
Stop Riding the Monkey
- Pause before speaking or acting on emotion.
- Become a self-observer. Step outside yourself. Watch your behaviors from the corner of the ceiling.
- Feed your mind with insights that expand your perspective.
- Reflect on consequences, not conveniences.
- Practice moments of quiet throughout the day to regain balance.
Impulse-driven leaders wrangle chaos. Principle-driven leaders choose dignity and direction.
You can’t flourish riding the monkey.
What are some symptoms of living by impulse?
How do you practice impulse control?
