Joseph's "Just My Thoughts"

Leader: In the book ‘Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win,’ written by Jocko Willink, there is a training story where seven Navy SEAL trainees form a team and carry a rubber boat weighing over 100 kg on their heads. Usually, one team would finish first and another last, but the team members stayed the same, and only the leaders were swapped. As a result, the team that finished last moved to first place, and the team that was first became second. What changed was that only the leaders were replaced; the rest of the team remained the same. It’s important to note that, although a leader’s ability greatly influences success, the key point is that the team that was initially first was moved to second place, not last, even though the leader from the last team took over the first team. This is because, under the previous leader, team members developed a winning habit, which persisted even when the leader changed. The most crucial element in an organization is the leader itself....

When an organizational leader is busy, the organization is at risk. There is a high probability that work is abnormally concentrated on the leader or that the tasks currently being pursued are unsuitable for the organization. If leaders fail to address the right issues due to their own busyness or if tasks are not properly distributed within the organization, a crisis will soon arise. Being busy does not equate to sincerity . Instead, we must recognize the warning signs of limitations to survive. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

There exist two categories of leaders: those who prioritize individuals and those who prioritize circumstances. Which category do you fall into? Leaders who prioritize circumstances may easily overlook the needs of individuals, driven by an underlying fear of adverse outcomes impacting them. Ultimately, those who favor circumstances above individuals exhibit a tendency to prioritize self-protection over the welfare of those they lead. In contrast, leaders who prioritize individuals, even amidst challenging situations, demonstrate the qualities of exemplary leadership. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

A truly great leader does not believe he is perfect, nor does he need to be. In fact, recognizing his imperfections allows him to connect with others and fosters humility, which helps him collaborate effectively with colleagues. Rather than achieving remarkable successes alone within the organization, a leader who strives to thrive alongside his team— even if progress is slower— cultivates a more cohesive organization. Ultimately, this approach strengthens the organizational culture, empowering it to withstand crises. People cannot excel at everything, nor do they need to. Recognizing this reality is a key aspect of effective leadership. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

When leaders are busy, organizations are at risk. Leaders who don’t acknowledge reality, who can’t make decisions and let time pass during conflicts, who can’t trust others, and who intervene in even minor matters exemplify incomparably incompetent leaders who disguise themselves with their own integrity to avoid failure. Leaders who fail to recognize their limitations and cannot delegate their responsibilities to others will harm both themselves and the organization while they keep their positions. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Leaders delegate, while bosses manage. Organizations that have numerous meetings and extensive reporting are led by bosses, not leaders. Another factor contributing to this phenomenon is that the work being performed is viewed not as a product but as a project. Product work emphasizes customer experience, whereas project work relates to compliance deadlines. Consequently, project work involves many meetings and reporting. Dysfunctional organizations are characterized by excessive meetings, while successful organizations prioritize conversations over meetings. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

A company is a setting where ordinary individuals come together to achieve remarkable accomplishments. Leaders don’t need to surpass every member in ability; instead, they must provide a vision of a vibrant and promising future. It is the leaders’ integrity and responsibility to applaud, motivate, and recognize their team’s contributions. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The phenomenon of making choices that contradict one’s genuine feelings in order to avoid isolation or blend in with others is termed the “Abilene Paradox.” Such paradoxes occur when a group’s choice results in unfavorable outcomes, even as a member publicly endorses it while secretly criticizing the group’s original decision. This situation often arises from individuals’ fear that voicing their discomfort may disturb others, particularly in settings that suppress authentic emotional expression. This underscores the difficulty of effective organizational communication and emphasizes the vital role that leadership plays in any organization. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Once we complete our hard work as a team, we celebrate together with a party. This event allows everyone to set aside any grudges and offer comfort and encouragement to one another. Such emotional exchanges contribute to the overall success of our efforts. Regardless of the work’s significance, its value and meaning diminish without these small yet crucial emotional rewards. In fact, lingering feelings of resentment or vengeance can arise in the absence of such acknowledgment, revealing a complex emotional landscape. A great leader understands and values these emotional experiences. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Some leaders find relief only when they dominate the mind, while others serve as limbs. They seek to facilitate threats and collaboration with others to bolster their sense of security. Some of them resort to “gaslighting,” manipulating circumstances to create doubt and maintain control. They view their micromanagement as a notable strength, caring for even the most minor details. Working alongside such a person can reduce even the most capable individuals to feeling foolish and diminish their self-esteem. Unbeknownst to them, those around them are suffocating. The desire to conform is often mistaken for loyalty. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Problem-solving attitudes are largely divided into “problem-oriented coping” and “emotional-focused coping.” In a bad situation, wise risk management is “problem-oriented coping.” We want to exclude emotions as much as possible to define the problem and properly prioritize our behavior. Leaders manage people and issues well, not dictatorships or charisma. Emotions make the leader's charisma stand out, but the organization suffers tremendously from the emotional storm. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”