taking the fall

i had a conversation today with 30 extraordinary people who have been identified as high potential leaders in state government. every month i spend two days with them, and continue to be amazed and inspired by their commitment to make a difference in the lives of all minnesotans.

one of their homework assignments each month is to interview a respected leader and to report back on what they learned.

one person interviewed her rabbi, and what struck her most about this fascinating woman was her theory on the importance of taking a fall, even when it isn't yours to take. rabbi pointed out that when things go wrong, we as humans are quick to assign blame so as to get on with things.

but sometimes our intent is darker than that.

sometimes we toss blame and point fingers to safeguard our own sense of self and to avoid sleepless nights and potential danger.

it wasn't me, it was he, it was she. what a shame that someone else screwed up. really surprising.

that is wrong, rabbi said.

the right thing to do is step up, own it whether it is yours or not, and leave people to get on with their work. most people can't seem to get on with things if they can't point to the source of the mistake or conflict. thus, we swirl around in circles of anger and paranoia and get stuck in the muddy trenches of deceipt, invisible bloody knives pounded squarely into the backs of our colleagues and former friends.

leadership is about doing the right thing. it is about having such a deep faith in the mission that you are willing to fall on a sword that was thrown by someone else, call it your own, and allow people to get on with things.

my fault, my bad. ok?

now let's get back to work.