A friend recently recommended a book by Andy Andrews called “The Travelers Gift – Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success.” I was not aware of the book or the author, but boy was this recommendation made at the right time for me. Not only is Andrews’ work beautifully written and entertaining, but it is also an empowering guide to help people make decisions at critical points in their lives. Moreover, the key takeaways have leadership applications that I will discuss and synthesize into a “Leadership Behavior.” But first, a quick summary of the book.
David Ponder was an Executive at a Fortune 500 company who lost his job following an acquisition and major reorganization. Faced with a career transition, financial uncertainty, and an ailing daughter, David became bitter, angry, and anxious. One fateful evening he drove recklessly, crashed his car, and struck a tree. While unconscious, he had a transcendent experience that found him interacting with historical figures during times when they had to make critical decisions. The wisdom and lessons they provided shaped and transformed David’s life in an unimaginable way.
The seven valuable lessons for success are:
“The buck stops here; I am responsible for my past and my future.” by Harry Truman
“I will seek wisdom; I will be a servant to others.” by King Solomon
“I am a person of action. I seize this moment, I choose now.” by Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
“I have a decided heart. My destiny is assured.” by Christopher Columbus
“Today I will choose to be happy. I am the possessor of a grateful spirit” by Anne Frank
“I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive myself.” by Abraham Lincoln
“I will persist without exception. I am a person of great faith.” by Archangel Gabriel
Leadership Applications
The telling of the lessons by these famed leaders in their historical context reinforced that all great people face tough decisions along their journey, and the ability to thoughtfully navigate these moments in their lives is made possible by adhering to several key principles. Not only did these seven key principles resonate with me as a guide for personal decision making, but the leadership principles contained therein can strengthen any leader’s ability to serve their teams, make decisions, and influence change.
“The buck stops with me.” Harry Truman’s decision to unleash the most lethal weapon in human history to break the will of the Imperial Japanese Army was highly controversial (even amongst his advisors) and made without perfect information, yet Truman committed to his belief that this was the only way to end the continuing carnage in the Pacific Theater. He stood firm and knew that ultimate accountability for the decision stood with him. Truman unabashedly took responsibility for all actions leading up to, and after the decision, and he owned that.
We are responsible for our own decisions, and we cannot blame anyone or anything else for our circumstances. Accountability starts at an individual level. When leaders and their teams accept this axiom, the element of blame is removed, and everyone can focus on getting better and accomplishing the team goals (for more on this I recommend Extreme Ownership – How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin).
–Leadership behavior = Accountability
“I will seek wisdom.” King Solomon, known for his leadership and wisdom, imparts to Ponder that we must keep the company of wise people and seek their wisdom and expertise. As the leader of Israel, builder of the temple, son of King David, King Solomon could have been haughty and omniscient, yet his intellectual curiosity was endless and evident by the wise counsel he relied upon to make decisions.
Intellectual humility is essential to make informed decisions, and as leaders, we cannot be the expert on everything. We must surround ourselves and build relationships with the experts amongst us but always display an intellectual curiosity that seeks the truth. Importantly, as a team leader if you are the expert on everything, where would the opportunities exist for your teammates to develop? An important way to serve your team is to empower them by showing that their input, research, and expertise drove a particular decision. Creating a truth seeking, intellectually curious environment is a predicate for discovery and growth.
–Leadership behavior = Humility
“I am a person of action.” Facing insurmountable odds, fighting with a depleted Union regimen at Gettysburg, Col. Chamberlain’s bold act of courage unnerved a charging confederate army, causing their retreat during one of the most consequential skirmishes in the historic battle. Chamberlain’s bold action changed the entire fate of the United States.
Leadership requires a boldness of courage to decide and act, whereas doing nothing leaves your fate in the hands of someone or something else. Your team and your patients/customers need your bold courage, and you will distinguish yourself by an ability to decide. Sometimes we do not have all the resources or information we wish we had to decide, but we cannot let perfection stymie progress. Act first and modify your plan when needed in response to the conditions.
–Leadership behavior = Action
“I have a decided heart.” The fact that Christopher Columbus was able to get funding for
his exploration to chart a western route to the “East” was an amazing accomplishment itself. But discovering the Americas happened even as his own men on the voyage doubted his vision. Columbus’ faith in his vision, which was God’s will, required an unwavering and unshakeable commitment.
As leaders, we must be willing to push through adversity, doubt, and despair to accomplish the mission. Your people must understand and know what the mission entails, and why it is critical. You set the tone as leaders, and your teams gain confidence through your steadfast (not stubborn) resolve.
–Leadership behavior = Commitment
“Today I will choose to be happy.” As a young teenage girl hiding from the Nazi Gestapo in Amsterdam, the mature wisdom of Anne Frank is a marvel we must all cherish (please read the Diary of Anne Frank if you have not yet…or if you have already, please re-read!!!!). Despite every reason to despair or be unhappy about her teenage life sequestered from her adolescence, Ms. Frank shares with David Ponder her anecdotes to choose happiness and gratefulness, often referring to her father’s empowering advice that all her emotions and reactions are choices.
We choose how we respond and react in our personal and professional lives. Happiness and despair are choices we make that shape our entire outlook. As leaders, we must also remember that we are always on stage so your emotional responses to information or during conversations are noticed by the team. Your emotional and social awareness impact the effectiveness of your leadership, and only you are responsible for how you decide to react and respond to everything. I am not suggesting that we dismiss or deny certain realities, on the contrary, we embrace what is happening and decide to choose a positive response.
–Leadership behavior = Positivity
“I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit.” Our 16th President, Mr. Abraham Lincoln, was chastised throughout his life for his appearance, his apparent unworthiness for our nation’s highest office during the Civil War, decisions he made throughout the war, etc. Given this, it might be easy to see how one might become resentful, sinical, or vindictive, yet President Lincoln decided that he would not let resentment fester inside of him and turn into anger. As a man of faith and on the side of God, Lincoln committed to granting forgiveness throughout his life.
Forgiveness does not mean that you bottled up your forgiving spirit inside of you and keep it secret, but that you outwardly share that with those you forgive, including yourself. As a leader you cannot expect perfection all the time. This does not mean that
you compromise standards, rather you embrace the notion that the best leaders are humble enough to admit their faults and give grace to others who make honest mistakes. We are flawed and we make mistakes, so we must be humble and gracious in our acknowledgement of that truth.
-Leadership behavior = Grace
“I will persist without exception.” Archangel Gabriel affirms that the greatest power bestowed upon humankind is the power of choice. Armed with the six preceding rules, David Ponder now had the power and ability to carry forward and choose to make the right decisions of his own volition. He was obligated (or called) to carry forward this “Gift” without exception. David had to step into that power and choose to succeed.
Leadership takes tireless energy to achieve an outcome, and there are distractions that can take us off course causing us to lose focus of our mission and our goals. When we are clear about what we are trying to accomplish and establish a decision-making process to get there, your persistence as a leader is the fuel to drive towards and achieve that goal; and your team’s energy and behavior will mimic your drive.
–Leadership behavior = Persistence
Through accountability, humility, action, commitment, positivity, grace, and persistence, leaders can effectively lead themselves and their teams through volatile times and at critical decision points as they control their journey and choose to succeed. As you establish your approach to making complex decisions amidst difficult circumstances, commit to your process, which must be authentically yours. Books like “The Traveler’s Gift” and the others referenced ought not to be interpreted as a checklist guide to craft your leadership style, but rather inputs to a complex algorithm that is entirely unique to you. Leading people is a privilege, and good leadership is the greatest gift one can receive!