"None of us is as smart as all of us." - John C. Maxwell, The 5 Levels of Leadership
"Ideas are like babies - none is as beautiful as our own." - Fortune Cookie
Last week I led my first monthly leadership development meeting for Cub Scout volunteers. (The meeting is called Roundtable.) We started with a reflection time. Each person introduced themselves, described one thing their Pack did this past summer, and related their favorite Scouting memory from this summer. It was amazing hearing all the different things Packs had done. It was exciting watching the participants begin building upon each others ideas. They discovered that every person there was a resource they can draw upon to improve their own program. It is a major commitment to add one more meeting to their already busy schedule. One first time attendee told me, "I wasn't sure that I had time to attend this meeting. But now I know what I am going to do for my next Pack meeting. It takes me a lot longer to figure it out on my own. I actually saved lots of time by coming." They all left energized with a lot of new things they are going to try with their own Packs. I discovered that one of the participants knows more about Native American stories than I do, and have asked him to teach a story that everyone can use in their Pack meetings.
Each article for this newsletter is written within a day of it being sent. It is hard to proof read your own material in that short of time because you see what you expect to see instead of what is actually there. For that reason, I have my wife, Carole, proof read each article. Not only do I want her to look for typographical errors, but want her opinion on what I have written. Once in a while she will say she doesn't understand something or she'll recommend that I edit something out. Her input has improved this newsletter. She is my trusted advisor in terms of this newsletter and many other things.
I have a select few people I consider to be my trusted advisors. Over the years I have learned to listen to their criticism and ideas. I trust their knowledge and wisdom. When they make a suggestion to me, I consider it very carefully. Here is one example, for years I performed using a foot locker on the floor of the stage to hold my props. One day Kenny Ahern suggested that I put the foot locker up on something so I didn't have to bend over all the time to get my props. I tried putting it on two chairs. That worked well. After that performance Kenny commented that he liked the image it created much better. Since then I have discovered many more advantages to an elevated trunk. I prefer to use a folding luggage rack to hold the trunk. However, if I am traveling and a rack isn't available I will use two chairs. I wouldn't have thought of it without Kenny's suggestion.
Anyone who tries to be creative falls in love with their own ideas. This can cause a blind spot, especially if it is the only idea you have. In Creativity For Entertainers Volume Two I tell about working on a Holy Humor Sunday Service. I was able to come up with just one idea that fit the theme our pastor wanted for the service. Carole didn't understand my idea and kept pointing out flaws. I insisted on defending my idea. Finally, I decided that I could not defend it any longer. Only when I gave up on it was I free to consider other ideas. Eventually I discovered a different idea that was much better than my first idea. Sometimes giving up on an idea is a struggle.
When something has to be done around the house, Carole and I often have different ideas on how it should be done. I naturally prefer my solution. However, I have learned to consider her idea. Sometimes my idea turns out to be the best. Sometimes her idea turns out to be the best. Usually the best solution is a combination of our ideas.
Where can you get together with others to share ideas and inspiration? How can you take advantage of the knowledge and wisdom of others? Who are your trusted advisors? Who is able to tell you what you need to hear? Who can reveal your blind spots? When do you need to stop defending your own ideas? How can you combine the ideas of others with those of your own?
