Perhaps you remember your grandmother saying “a stich in time saves nine.” In the days when sewing was routine, this proverb taught children to pay attention and take care of things in a timely manner. This would save themselves a whole lot of future time and trouble.
Leaders have to have perspective. Shift through information, prioritize what they do, and decide what is important. They also have to focus energy to get results. Dealing with small potatoes can be draining and off target.Here are three more proverbs that contain leadership lessons: “Don’t throw good money after bad. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! Where there is smoke, there is fire.” Take a moment to jot down how following these sayings would make you a better leader!
And boy was your grandmother right! I learned this lesson the hard way. “The boot” which is put on cars that have outstanding parking tickets was invented in Denver where I live. When I was in my 30’s I was nonchalant about paying tickets. One day I walk out of a meeting one and WHAM – my car was booted. I had to go to the bank, get cash, go to the City and County building to pay the fines – plus the boot cost. Then there is not paying my taxes on time…we won’t go into that.
Gaining weight is putting things off…we enjoy what we eat today, but pay later. I am sure you have stories of your own to tell…
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Proverbs are rich wisdom present in all cultures. They are saying used to pass on values and to teach children about life – what is wrong and what is right. Often proverbs show people how to be successful in life. They also contain leadership lessons.
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“A stich in time saves nine,” teaches leaders to “take care of business,” to check for weak spots and fix them, to be resourceful, and to tend to the things they have. Often proverbs complement each other:
Often proverbs complement each other: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” gives a similar message.GMy friend Margaret who is Irish will say, “That’s small potatoes.” This is akin to don’t sweat the small stuff. Or “Don’t make a mountain our of a mole hill.” She recently told me to “pay the IRS” because in the long run it was going to cost me more in time and worry than it was worth. In other words a small potato.“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” gives a similar message.
Leaders have to have perspective. Shift through information, prioritize what they do, and decide what is important. They also have to focus energy to get results. Dealing with small potatoes can be draining and off target.GHere are three more proverbs that contain leadership lessons: “Don’t throw good money after bad. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! Where there is smoke, there is fire.” Take a moment to jot down how following these sayings would make you a better leader!
Yep – you got it! Prevention, know when to fold them, focus on what needs fixing, and pay attention to small signs (smoke).GAs a Latina I come from a culture rich in proverbs which are called dichos. A favorite is: “No hay mal que por bien no venga.” The English version is “Something good comes from everything.” Imagine how this counsel helped me as an immigrant entering school not understanding the language and the alien environment. When things aren’t going well and times are tough, this dicho reminds to “keep on keeping on.” When you get through this you will understand how the situation was somehow beneficial, made you a stronger, and better person.
Leaders have to stay positive and hopeful especially when things are hard. Most important, if leaders learn from their experiences no matter how difficult, they will become better leaders – something good will come.GGMany proverbs cut across cultures. This is because proverbs are really ancient recipes and remedies for living our common human experience. The above dicho for instance is similar to, “Every cloud has a silver lining.” And the “hang loose” or the shanka sign the Hawaiians make.
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A common saying for African American is: “if it doesn’t kill you, it will make you stronger.” Historically through the struggles and sorrows of slavery Black people had to have an impeccable belief that they would overcome. They believed they would survive and they have. A leadership lesson for all of us to remember.GOne last piece of wisdom from South African is Umbuntu based on an underlying belief of the universal bond that connects us all. It means, “I am only a person because of other people.”
If we believe this then we are act with compassion and care towards others. Umbuntu beckons us to understand that it is only through the graciousness of others (starting with our parents and teachers) that we are who we are today.
Leaders who follow umbuntu give credit to others, treat everyone with respect, and understand we are all connected. As leaders they are reciprocal, nurture people, and build an interdependence and people-oriented environment.GIn July we will be posting dichos on facebook and Pinterest. We invite people to submit proverbs that reflect their cultural background and to note the lessons they learned from these.
Reflect – how did this make me a better leader At the end of the month the 3 winners will be chosen by our illustrious judges and receive great prizes.Isn’t it inspiring to know your grandmother and parents were right when they said, “He who hesitates is lost.” So just do it!
GTo enter the contest go to this link http://woobox.com/9mrake and like Juana Bordas Facebook Page. All you need to do is share your dicho! The winner will be selected and announced August 1st, 2014 and will win a $25 Amazon gift card, a set of our newly arrived Dicho Cards and an autographed copy of the award winning book “The Power of Latino Leadership” Join the fun now!
