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How Preemptive are You? 7 Quick, Powerful Questions to Ask Yourself when Blindsided

Guarding Your Reputation

The great American humorist and philosopher Will Rogers reminded us…

“It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation, but you can lose it in a minute.”

What’s more valuable to a leader than reputation? To apply Will Rogers’ insight, let’s first consider all that you do to build a good reputation. You need to repeatedly fulfill your promises in ways that meet and even exceed expectations.

A Good Reputation is about Maintaining Integrity

We likely agree that integrity is a critical leadership trait. With your reputation on the line, I would argue that a leader’s integrity is so important that it needs to be defended whenever it’s threatened or challenged.

As a leader, your integrity is judged on your ability to both make and keep your promises. Promises include both stated and implied ones. As you seek to guard and defend your reputation by maintaining your integrity…

An active, preemptive approach to guarding your integrity is always the best practice.

Creative Captions Image

in·teg·ri·ty

/inˈteɡrədē/

noun

the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
“he is known to be a man of integrity”
the state of being whole and undivided.
“upholding territorial integrity and national sovereignty”

Unforeseen Circumstances

Our big problems and challenges don’t call in advance to make an appointment. They show up without warning to disrupt our best laid plans. We all get blindsided. Unforeseen events disrupt your promises, and thereby threaten your integrity.

While we like to believe we’re good at expecting the unexpected, we’re all subject to being surprised by disruptive occurrences.

That leads me back to my opening question:

How Preemptive Are You?

Many consider the word preemptive in a military context. (as in a preemptive strike) It can also apply to investing and playing Bridge.

I’m applying it to protecting your reputation and guarding your integrity.

Consider that unforeseen event that disrupts your ability to deliver on promises or expectations.

Ask Yourself…

Do you react, or respond?
How should others receive the bad news?
And from who?
How should you get out ahead of the issue?
Do you avoid the uncomfortable conversations?
Do you ever hold back and hope no-one will notice?
Or do you proactively communicate with the stakeholders of your promise?

Ignoring won’t make it go away. It will damage your reputation.

pre·emp·tive

/prēˈemptiv/

adjective

serving or intended to preempt or forestall something, especially to prevent attack by disabling the enemy.
relating to the purchase of goods or shares by one person or party before the opportunity is offered to others.
“preemptive rights”
In BRIDGE: denoting a bid, typically an opening bid, intended to be so high that it prevents or interferes with effective bidding by the opponents.

Definitions from Oxford Languages

Yes, the term preemptive is frequently associated with war tactics. And many have grown tired of war terms in organizational context. But your reputation can be destroyed in minutes. Isn’t it worth defending by being preemptive?

The world can be empathetic and even forgiving to those experiencing hardships. But not to leaders who offer excuses and blame over solutions and regenerated, realistic promises they deliver on.

Your next disruptive surprise will happen any time now. How will you respond to the stakeholders of your promises?

"My Bad!"

One Response

Bob Bestvina says:
March 4, 2021 at 9:40 am
Great stuff Tom. Thank you.
Reply

About the Author

Tom Lemanski

Elevating Leaders to Achieve Breakthrough Success

Tom Lemanski helps accomplished leaders unlock potential, solve complex challenges, and amplify their impact.

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Tom Lemanski's

Leadership Breakthroughs

Your Bridge to Discovery

Tom Lemanski's

Leadership Breakthroughs

Your Bridge to Discovery

How Preemptive are You? 7 Quick, Powerful Questions to Ask Yourself when Blindsided

Guarding Your Reputation

“It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation, but you can lose it in a minute.”

A Good Reputation is about Maintaining Integrity

in·teg·ri·ty

Unforeseen Circumstances

How Preemptive Are You?

Ask Yourself…

pre·emp·tive

"My Bad!"

One Response

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About the Author

Tom Lemanski

Elevating Leaders to Achieve Breakthrough Success

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