WWJD?

TOPICS: Leadership SKILLS | TRAINING & EDUCATION

WWJD

Several years ago, the WWJD (“What would Jesus do?”) fad was enormously popular and it was common to see WWJD bracelets everywhere. It would be hard to argue that doing what Jesus did could ever be a bad thing, wouldn’t it? The fad has largely faded but the concept remains applicable. Who is it you look to for guidance?

There is a certain relief in admitting that you don’t have all the answers. Nobody does. Regardless of what we are doing, someone is doing it better. Regardless of what we know, someone knows more than we do. So where does a leader go when he needs answers? For me, it depends on the question. I have been very fortunate to be around some great leaders in my career. I have learned far more about leadership by observing them than I have from reading books, listening to podcasts or attending classes.

During my first career in real estate, I was fortunate to work for a truly unique and gifted man, Trammell Crow. At that time, he was the most successful private real estate developer in the United States. His treatment of people, his ability to see into the future and his humility left an indelible mark on my life.

Although he is no longer living and I have been gone from his organization for 41 years I often ask myself, “What would Mr. Crow do in this situation?” I will never achieve the success he did but much of the success I have enjoyed is due to lessons I learned directly or indirectly from him. I am sure that hundreds – maybe even thousands – of other business people who were able to experience his leadership would say the same thing.

I was in my 40s when I began to notice that several of my friends who also owned businesses were enjoying more success than I was. After a rapid start, my career had grown somewhat stagnant. Through observing others, I discovered that my directness in dealing with people was actually creating problems instead of solving them. By observing other entrepreneurs who were especially skilled at leading people I learned to change my approach and not surprisingly, success followed.

All of us have people in our lives – spouses, friends, pastors, bosses, co-workers, parents, siblings – who are more skilled at various tasks than we are. It only makes sense to copy behaviors which have proven to work for others.

For me, the list of mentors is quite long. It begins with my wife and includes a large group of entrepreneurial friends, including Mr. Crow, of course. Together they have helped me become happier and more successful. And, almost daily, I still find myself asking, “What would (Jim, Russ, Randy, Don, Ed, Marc, René, Jack, Doug, Mike, etc.) do in this situation?”

Do yourself a favor by taking these three steps:

1. Identify a weakness in yourself.
2. Look for someone who has overcome that weakness.
3. Learn from that person and copy their behavior. Rinse. Repeat.