Page 194 - Roy W. Rice - CEO Material How to Be a Leader in Any Organization-McGraw-Hill (2009)

You Are Willing to Make Mistakes • 175

your neck out,” when you are sitting on your porch swing at age 84, you’re
going to want to kick yourself for not having done so.
Now, if you make incorrect decisions that lead to mistakes because
you (1) lack information, (2) have no desire to find the correct infor-
mation, and (3) don’t care, then you made a mistake in buying this
book too.
It’s normal and natural to have some trepidation about making a
blunder. You can be scared, but you must go forth and try anyway. Once
past the racing heart, trembling, lightheadedness, nausea, difficulty
breathing, sweating, and fear of doing something embarrassing, you must
realize that it’s okay to persevere.

What Does Being Willing to Make a Mistake
Mean? What Does It Look Like?

If you choose to do this (because it is your choice), you

■ Know the mistake is seldom permanent.
■ Know that no one will remember it as long as you do.
■ Learn that the rest of the world is more important than you.
■ Build character.
■ Keep your ego in check.
■ Humble yourself.
■ Show that you’re willing to stumble and learn from it.
■ Get noticed.

Get into Setbacks Early On

You’ll have more time for a better chance of recovery and get comfort-
able with your “stupidity” early on, and you’ll come to know important
things sooner. One chief told me, “My new boss and I were walking out
of the building together to go to lunch. He grabbed me by my collar and
pushed my back up against the wall so hard and for so long that I thought
I’d get third-degree burns from the hot wall in the afternoon sun. He held
me there and said, ‘Get in trouble as fast as you can.’”