When it comes to gaining candor and truth from others, sometimes we can out-smart ourselves. Here are two legendary examples of men who mastered the art of suppressing ego to serve their purpose.
The Simple Country LawyerThe late, North Carolina Senator, Sam Ervin, presided over the Watergate hearings in the 70s. He led a panel charged with uncovering our country’s highest profile political cover-up. In his quest for uncovering the facts and gaining deeper insight, he billed himself as just a simple country lawyer. He was, in fact, a Harvard educated attorney who masked his intellect with his humility, folksy drawl and humorous story telling.
The TV DetectivePeter Falk’s Columbo character entertained us with a classic example of masked intelligence. Lt. Frank Columbo, a homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department, used his disheveled appearance, eccentric mannerisms and naive curiosity to disarm his guilty suspects to the point of full confession of their crimes.
The naivety and humility displayed by both Senator Sam and Lt. Columbo served them well. In both cases, their demeanor helped them to gain the truth and candor from their less-than-forthcoming adversaries.
There are times when we all need to tactfully get to the real story.
Is it possible that we can be too smart for our own good?
When getting to the real truth matters, is your persona disarming or arming? Consider taking a lesson from naivety and humility these two 70s examples.
Don’t be so naïve about the value of these two virtues!
“To discover the truth, one must become as humble as the dust.” – Mahatma Ghandi.
Tom Lemanski helps accomplished leaders unlock potential, solve complex challenges, and amplify their impact.
Effective leadership is the key to driving meaningful, lasting success in a fast-changing world.
Tom’s focus on innovative strategies and self-awareness creates transformative results for leaders striving for the next level.
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