Leadership Lessons: From Theories to Kindness in Practice

I came across this saying recently and it made me smile:

“Before I was married I had six theories about raising children. Now I have six children and no theories.”

What’s true of parenting is also frequently true of leadership.

Human psychology is too vast, too subtle and too complex for the rational mind to comprehend. We can’t fully understand our own emotions and motivations, let alone those of others.

No matter what theory you hold about human nature and human behaviour, you will eventually – if you are honest and conscientious – discover it to be woefully inadequate.

The best approach with your team is simply to be courteous, gentle and kind – as kind as you possibly can – and when you fail, which you will, to smile, apologise and remind them that you too are a work in progress.