Leadership is not science but art which is highly situational. This book discusses a few contrarian principles to help leader break free of the wisdom of the herd. Theses principles are not dogma but can be useful reference to guide us. Overall the book is a little bit hard to read compared to other books, simple words are not always used and the content in each chapter is not that well structured for easy understanding. Nevertheless it won’t affect the true value of these principles if we put into practice.
Think Gray and Think Free: Think gray is to avoid forming firm opinions about ideas or people unless and until you have to. Think free is to think several steps beyond to contemplate really outrageous ideas and only subsequently apply the constraints of practicality. This will help leader to avoid his established prejudices and be creative and open.
Artful Listening: One important skill for leader is to understand other’s thinking. So listen first, talk later and when you listen, do it artfully. Think gray will help you to listen different inputs openly and also know when to stop listening.
Experts: Experts can be helpful but they’re no substitute for your own critical thinking.
You Are What You Read: Again the importance of reading books and particularly for the supertexts including The Princes, Republic, Hamlet, Antigone and etc. to learn about some timeless truths about human nature. Only read things that matter.
Decisions, Decisions: Again the decision making. The suggestion is to never make a decision yourself that can reasonable be delegated to a lieutenant and never make a decision today that can reasonable be put off to tomorrow. Delegating authority while retaining ultimate responsibility, artful procrastination, ignoring sunk costs and taking luck into account are finest traits during decision making.
Give the Devil His Due: The contrarian leader won’t be naive about the people and circumstances he’s dealing with. Many decisions will be very complex and the leader must discern the pitfalls of various options and choose the best on offer, knowing that there is no perfect solution. Don’t unnecessarily humiliate a defeated opponent.
Know Which Hill You’re Willing to Die On: Moral and ethical concerns insinuate themselves into almost every aspect of leadership. Know what matters most to your beliefs and your choice may at some point require you to retreat from all the surrounding hills.
Work for Those Who Work for You: This is the one I firmly believe in. For majority of time the lead should do everything you can to help your direct reports succeed. Choosing the right people, motivating them, supporting them, helping them grow, inspiring them, evaluating them and firing them are among the most important things a leader does.
Follow the leader: Leaders don’t really run organizations, rather leaders lead individual followers who collectively give motion and substance to the organization.
Being President vs Doing President: Don’t delude yourself into thinking that people are intrinsically better or worse than they really are. Working to bring the best of your followers while minimizing the worst.
With practice and flexibility, principles will help you become a more effective leader.