“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” - Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
Long-time CEO Jack Welsh, reflecting on the long history of General Electric, commented:
“It’s embarrassing to reflect that for probably eighty or ninety years, we’ve been dictating equipment needs and managing people who know how to do things much better and faster than we did.”
Influential leaders recognize the merit of including employees in the management decision process. Research reveals that diversity enhances creativity, provides fresh perspectives, and leads to better decision-making.
A report from Harvard Business School notes that some managers are hesitant to integrate their team in the process due to concerns of added complexity or the potential clash of opinions.
Overwhelming data confirms that employees feel valued and trusted when they are involved in a decision-making process. Morale improves, more significant input is received, employees take more responsibility, relationships improve, and executives discover they have more time to concentrate on other tasks.
The apostle Paul recognizes that a humble leader considers others. Influential leaders are constantly learning from others. None of us have all the answers, nor should we. Humility is the antidote for arrogance and an attractive characteristic that encourages collective decision-making.
Thanks for your leadership.
Richard
P.S. Is it often difficult to include others on tasks and input? Read this blog post from my website for encouragement on wise delegation.
Worth sharing ...
“Humility is the antidote for arrogance and an attractive characteristic that encourages collective decision-making.”
– Richard Parrish.