I read this somewhere once:
“Being right is less important than being successful at doing the right things.“
This isn’t the first time I’ve heard this idea, but when I thought about it this time it hit me as more profound.
Consider:
- A leader who takes credit of an idea of a team member, frustrating the team member and damaging trust.
- An argument with a customer /student that becomes counter productive because being right becomes the primary concern vs. doing the right thing.
I could list other examples, but I’m sure each of us have thought of our own lists.
We all have the opportunity to make a choice in these situations. The above quotation reminds me of the importance of this choice.
When you feel yourself focused on wanting to be correct, ask yourself if that focus is serving the greatest goals of self ? Or could you serve the right goals and do the right thing?
Just some food for thought!
Resources:
Do the Right Thing Where money and ethics meet -CNNMoney.com
Peter F. Drucker quotes- Quotations About.com
Do the Right Thing Ethics training programs help employees deal with ethical dilemmas. By Kathryn Tyler
2 Comments
September 12, 2008 at 10:49 am
[...] What is Important to your Goals? [...]
September 12, 2008 at 11:49 am
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