Decision making is a tricky business. How do you know if you've made the right decision? What are the risks? What are the rewards? Leaders are called upon to make tough decisions every day. It is not an easy task.
At a recent outdoor concert, The Doobie Brothers and Chicago had to make a tough decision. The first half of the concert was fantastic. Great musicians, appreciative fans, outstanding venue and overcast skies. As the Doobie Brothers finished their set, a spectacular light show in the form of lightning and thunder lit up the sky and then the rain poured! A decision was made to delay the concert and see if that Midwest storm would keep moving on. Thousands of people rushed for cover and waited for over 45 minutes; hoping that the concert would resume.
Somewhere backstage a group of people were weighing out the risks and the rewards, the sales and the safety, the commitment to continue or to call it off. The rains turned to a light drizzle, the thunder grew distant and Chicago stepped out on to the stage and proved to be a first class professional team while the fans hovered in places where they couldn't even see the band perform. The rain stopped and the faithful followers rushed the stage as the band played. The "show must go on" decision seemed to be just right. Then the real downpour began. Umbrellas were useless. And while we got soaked to our skin, I think I heard them singing: "Chasing the Wind" and "Another Rainy Day in New York City"!
As the storm grew more intense, a stage manager could be seen just off stage trying to get the band to rap it up. But instead of leaving the stage, both bands returned, unfurled the American flag and performed together a memorable medley of their greatest hits! They made a decision to finish what they started.
Some times you and I will be faced with the tough decision of finishing what we started! There will be storms and conditions that are beyond our control (i.e. gas prices, economy, cut backs, etc). Those things will seem to be dictating that we call it quits. But, deep down inside there is a resounding drive that begs to push on until the final song! We realize that even though we cannot control external influences, we can make adjustments and do what we do best - deliver quality results.
There are people in your life waiting for you to decide. They are hoping that you'll find a way to keep things rolling. They are riding out the storm, believing that it will be worth it in the end. Leaders know that sometimes the very best thing is to take the stage again and remind everyone of the "greatest hits" - things accomplished in the past. Often, the people we lead just need a reminder of the successes they have been a part of before in order to hang in there for a success in the future.
Leaders ViewPointe:
1) When leaders finish what they start, they:
- Gain Respect and Credibility
- Demonstrate Commitment
- Find Out Who They Can Count On
2) Leaders inspire others to the finish by building on shared success.
3) Sometimes leaders just need to have the attitude suggested in the words of the Doobie Brothers song, Black Water:
"Old black water, keep on rolling; Mississippi moon won't you keep on shining on me...well if it rains, I don't care, don't make no difference to me..."
Come to think of it, when they sang that song at the concert that's when the rain started! Hmmm.
Recent Comments