Defensivness

You hear a big bounce and glass smashing. You run in to the room and see your child standing there totally alone. The window is smashed. you ask " what happen? who did this? the child answer " I don't know it was not me!"

It is a common reaction from children, it was not me, and I know it can be frustrating, but even more so when adults and leaders reacts like this.

So for instance at work, there's always the temptation blaming someone else or explaining why factors outside your control contributed to your failure.

Some researchers say that leaders who act this way are less effective than those who acknowledge their shortcoming and admits their faults.

Defensiveness hinders leaders' ability to learn and, as a result, their success.

The researchers found out that leaders who carefully listening to the critics/feedback took it to their heart and did something about it, trying to change were much more effective leading their business/ministry forward.

The researchers suggested and recommended that the leader should not fall in to the temptation to respond to the feedback straight away, no to wait and think about it ( pray) even if it feels hard and uncomfortable.

There are "fights" Worth taking "fights" you have to take, "fights" you can wait to take, and "fights" not Worth at all taking.

Leaders who know this skill, to know which fight to take or not, to admit their shortcomings, who admit they failed and are learning from it will almost always be successful.