Which came first, the chicken or the egg? This age-old question has implications for systems thinking, but there are important differences between the answers as one looks to find the best route through challenging circumstances. Understanding both perspectives can make a huge difference in the ultimate solutions to perplexing and wicked problems. An associate of mine asks which is better, to know thyself (internal system) or know the external system (that which is around us)? I posit that while both are extremely important to being an effective leader long term, our analysis should begin with the internal system because knowing how things function around us will not matter much if we do not first understand how we will respond to it. As organizational systems expert Peter Senge stated, “It all comes down to what we do.” Determining what our actions will be ahead of time will greatly help us navigate through treacherous waters.
A key activity in my educational journey, and one which is well worth the time is a continual look deeper into myself. God created me to do certain things (natural talents), and when I became a follower of Jesus I was given additional tools (spiritual gifts) to use for His purposes. Through my education, I have learned to think critically and “zoom out” to see a broader view, and through the experiences of life, love, and career, I have gained emotional intelligence, as described by Daniel Goleman and his colleagues. All of these now contribute to my ability to deal with the dynamic circumstances caused as my external environment changes from moment to moment. Without first understanding myself, as circumstances change, I might drift from one tide of thought to another, never truly certain of my stance on anything. As a leader, this would be unacceptable and a waste of time and the potential God implanted in me.
I suggest that leaders must make sure they “know thyself” extremely well in order to respond to challenges in a way that helps them to stay on course with their values intact and to their desired outcomes. If we merely react as things occur instead of responding in a manner that we have predetermined, our effectiveness as a leader will diminish and our lives may very possibly fall short of our potential. Knowing who we are and what we’re made of (the egg), before things happen, help us to become the healthy chicken we envision.
If you want to be most effective in getting from where you are to where you want to be, begin by knowing yourself, very well.
Lead well.