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Hire the right people and then get out of their way and let them do the job you hired them for.

I was recently invited to a podcast to discuss the traits of a successful trucking company owner interested in growing their business.  One of the recommendations I discussed was the importance of hiring the right people and then getting out of their way so they could do their jobs.   That discussion reminded me of Ray Dalio's now classic book, "Principles" in which he covers the topic in one of the chapters.  I dug out my copy of the book and reread Chapter 8 titled "Hire Right, Because the Penalties for Hiring Wrong Are Huge".

I want to share a passage from Chapter 8 that I highlighted the first time I read the book:

"At a high level, we look for people who think independently, argue open-mindedly and assertively, and above all else value the intense pursuit of truth and excellence, and through it, the rapid improvement of themselves and the organization."

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Leadership Lessons from Paul - 64 CE

 My spiritual life, like most people, has been a series of ups and downs moving from “on fire” with enthusiasm to lukewarm (or maybe cold).  It is a cycle that I have been through many times in my 60+ years.  Recently, in relation to my transition to retirement, I have been attending church with my daughter and her family.   It has been fun watching my 14-year-old granddaughter light up with excitement as she enjoys the early days of her faith journey.  I may be warming back up.

A couple of weeks ago, the pastor began a sermon series on Paul’s letter to Titus.   I was not familiar with this Biblical book.  It is a short 3 chapters and only takes about 10 minutes to read.   As background, in about the year 64 CE Paul left his faithful friend, Titus, on the Island of Crete to find and train elders and other church leaders and members.   Chapter 1 includes the characteristics of a good leader.  You should take a few minutes to read the book. 

These leadership qualifications found in Paul's letter to Titus, though rooted in a religious context, offer timeless principles that apply well to leadership in the secular world. These values can guide leaders in various settings, from business to government to community organizations.

Blamelessness (Above Reproach)

   In the secular world, leaders are expected to act with integrity and be ethical in their decision-making. Being "above reproach" translates to having a strong moral compass, maintaining transparency, and being accountable to both peers and subordinates. Leaders who are trustworthy earn respect and credibility, which are essential for long-term success.

Faithfulness in Family Life (Work-Life Balance and Integrity)

   While the specific context in Titus refers to family life, this can be interpreted as a broader commitment to personal integrity and balance. In the secular context, effective leaders often demonstrate a balance between personal and professional responsibilities. Their ability to maintain healthy relationships reflects emotional intelligence and stability, key traits for guiding teams and making sound decisions.

Good Stewardship (Effective Management)

   The call for elders to be good stewards can be applied to how leaders in the secular world manage resources—whether human, financial, or material. Effective leaders must demonstrate fiscal responsibility, resource optimization, and efficient management, showing they can lead not just with vision, but also with practicality.

Avoidance of Vices (Self-Control and Ethical Behavior)

   Avoiding arrogance, temper, and unethical behavior translates directly to self-control and ethical leadership in the secular realm. Leaders who exercise restraint and avoid destructive behaviors like dishonesty, greed, or abuse of power foster healthier work environments and make more thoughtful decisions, contributing to team morale and productivity.

Pursuit of Virtues (Empathy, Discipline, and Justice)

   Virtues like hospitality, loving what is good, and being disciplined have parallels in qualities such as empathy, fairness, and a commitment to ethical standards. Secular leaders are expected to be disciplined in their work habits, treat others with respect, and prioritize the greater good over self-interest. These traits foster inclusive, positive environments where creativity and productivity can thrive.

Sound Doctrine and Teaching (Knowledge and Communication)

   In the secular context, this applies to a leader's expertise in their field and their ability to communicate effectively. Leaders need to have a solid grasp of their area of responsibility, ensuring that their decisions are informed and strategic. Furthermore, they should be able to mentor, teach, and guide others, sharing their knowledge to build stronger teams.

Summary

The leadership qualities Paul outlines—integrity, self-control, stewardship, empathy, and a commitment to truth—are universally applicable to leadership roles in both sacred and secular environments. They help create leaders who are principled, balanced, and capable of inspiring and guiding others, regardless of the context.

 

See also:

“Virtuous Leadership”  by Alexandre Havard

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Thrive

The quote "In times of stress, bad companies fail, good companies survive, great companies thrive" is attributed to Andy Grove, the former CEO of Intel Corporation. Grove was known for his insights into business strategy and leadership, particularly during challenging times in the corporate world.

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Poem of the day

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Sources of Advantage from Farnam Street

 Six Sources of advantage:

1. Talent - some people are just better
2. Hard work
3. Curiosity
4. Energy
5. Temperament - keeping your head when everyone is losing theirs
6. Partner - the right one will 10X your life.  The wrong one holds you back.

THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE BY STEPHEN COVEY - ANIMATED BOOK...

https://youtu.be/ktlTxC4QG8g?si=HpLkSSX189-o8scW

Steven R Perryman CPA

Power Decision Making

 From Ray Dalio's book "Principles" Chapter 5 - Learn how to make decisions effectively.

"Successful organizations have cultures in which evidence-based decision making is the norm rather than the exception."

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Tom Waits

"Song are really just very interesting things to be doing with the air."

Tom Waits.

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Leadership - activation

 From the Harvard Business Review - January-February 2024 edition, page 42.

"Leading in the Flow of Work" by Hitendra Wadhwa

This quote:  "Rather than a trait to be acquired, leadership is a (mental) state to be activated."

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https://leveldo.com/embrace-the-boredom-of-consistency/

Steven R Perryman CPA

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Write it down

Epitaph

"He ran at life and scooped it up"

From "Murder in Provence"
Season 1 Episode 2

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Do something different.

 From the "4 Disciplines of Execution" by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey and Jim Huling

"To achieve a goal you have never achieved before, you must start doing things you have never done before."  credited by the authors to a colleague Jim Stuart.

The Real Challenge

 From the "4 Disciplines of Execution" by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey and Jim Huling

Whether you call it a strategy, a goal, or simply an improvement effort, any initiative you as a leader drive in order to significantly move your team or organization forward will fall into one of two categories:  The first requires mainly a stroke of the pen: the second requires behavioral change.

Stroke-of-the-pen strategies are those that you execute just by ordering or authorizing them to be done.  Simply put, if you have the money and the authority, you can make them happen.  It might be a major capital improvement, a change in the compensation system, a realignment of roles and responsibilities, adding staff, or a new advertising campaign.  While executing these strategies may require planning, consensus, guts, brains, and money, you know that in the end it is going to happen.

Behavioral-change strategies are very different from stroke-of-the-pen strategies.  You can't just order them to happen, because executing them requires getting people - often a lot of people - to do something different.  And if you've tried to get other people to change their ways, you know how tough it is.  Changing yourself is hard enough.

Meme of the week

Post by FS on X

	FS ⁦‪@farnamstreet‬⁩ Common causes of bad decisions: 1. Assumptions based on small sample sizes 2. Wanting the world to work the way we want rather than the way it does 3. Conforming to expectations/authority/group (social default) 4. Blindness to large trends 5. Not asking, "and then what?"   1/4/24, 5:50 AM

Steven R Perryman CPA

httpswww.tiktok.com@brandycortervideo7320314521992645930is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7223822949374232110&fbcl

Post by Feynmanism on X

	Feynmanism ⁦‪@Feynmanism_‬⁩ A "razor" is a rule of thumb that simplifies decision-making. The 7 most powerful razors I've found: (Explain in 60 seconds) pic.twitter.com/E4HWnU8MVy   1/1/24, 6:41 AM

Steven R Perryman CPA

Intentions for the new year.

I saw this on Social Media somewhere over the New Years Weekend and thought it was worth sharing here.  I really like the lesson that #3 offers and have added it to my list of Leadership/Life Maxims.