Great Leaders Look Back

Casting a great vision is required of any leader worth his salt. He has to be able to look forward and KNOW where the organization he is leading will go.

And that’s what we’re told. Great leaders look forward.

Don't be afraid to look back

Unfortunately, this statement is often followed by bad wisdom. After someone tells us how every great leader looks to the future, we are told great leaders never look back.

I can agree with the first part of the statement. Leaders who get things done know they have to have an eye on the future. I take issue with the next part, that leaders can’t look to the past.

I know great leaders must look to the past. For there are many lessons to be learned there.

Why Great Leaders Look Back

George Santayana, a poet and philosopher, said “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Take A Big Risk

Risks are scary things. You never know what the outcome of the risk will be.

Will you lose your life? Will you strike it rich? Will you be denied? Will you be noticed? Will you have an epic failure?

Those are probably the questions running through your mind as you take a risk, especially big risks. Risks require us to ask questions and gamble on the outcome.

You may not get the results you were looking for.

My Recent Risk

My friend, Kimanzi Constable, has been challenging a group of us to take our dreams to the next level. To reach out to organizations that may help us increase business and further our success.

My risk was reaching out to Chris Brogan at Owner Mag. Owner Mag was an online magazine that featured amazing articles.

What To Do When You Hit A Brick Wall

We like to believe that we’re on the right path when things are going well. Doors are opening. And the path is clear.

When we come to a brick wall and hit it full speed, we like to think we’re doing something wrong.

But are we really doing something wrong?

Brick Wall

Image by Claus Rebler

Now, I’ve never run into a brick wall. At least that I can remember.

Though I have run into roadblocks in my life. Events and circumstances which caused me to think I was going in the wrong direction.

These experiences have taught me it’s not always the case. There will be times when we run smack-dab into a wall.

In an interview, the great skateboarder Tony Hawk recalled his first time on a skateboard.

Tony way 10 years old. His brother had a sick skateboard.