Dale Brown On Leadership

Dale Brown is a former college basketball coach who spent 25 years leading the LSU Tigers. Here are some of his thoughts on leadership:

No leader is exempt from criticism, and his humility will not be seen more clearly anywhere than in the manner in which he reacts to it.
Anyone who steps into the arena of leadership must be prepared to pay a price. True leadership exacts a heavy toll on the whole person and the more effective the leadership, the higher the price.
The leader must face the fact that he will be the target of critical darts. Unpleasant though it may sound, you haven’t really led until you have become familiar with the stinging barbs of the critic.
Good leaders must have thick skin.
Every leader must develop the ability to measure the value or worth of criticism. He has to determine the source and the motive, and he has to listen with discernment. Sometimes the best course of action is to respond to criticism and learn from it. Other times, he must be ignored it completely.
No matter how strong a leader you are, you will experience times when the cutting remarks really hurt.
Never build pyramids in your own honor. We must not fall victim to pompous, self-serving practices.
Beware of the treacherous person who pledges loyalty in public then spreads discontent in private. Make every effort to identify and remove them. Leaders are often betrayed by those they trust most.

--The Coaching and Leadership Journal

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