Here is my summation of this first law as it applies to me. Anyone reading this may not agree but that’s okay I wrote it first for me
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
by John Maxwell
Chapter One
The Law of the Lid
As we begin this quest to broaden our leadership concepts, I wanted to share that I never gave the ins and outs of leadership a second thought. This first law has given me an opportunity to focus on who I am as a person and leader. As it applies to me, “The Law of the Lid”, has helped me see that I have not always been as effective as I should have been.
I just retired from a career that taught me that being forceful and confident would always help me out of any jam. The supervisors or leaders above me were always the brunt of ridicule for the way “they played the game”. Prior to that I worked in management in a position that did not emphasize effectiveness as a profound leadership trait. So in applying the law of the lid in my life will first require me to understand this fact first, for better or worse my own leadership ability will determine how effective I am as a leader.
In order to do that I need to assess accurately and truthfully where that level is. There have been opportunities for me to raise my lid. One of the ways I see how that applies is in how I have accepted those opportunities. Have I always been successful? No, however I still am idealistic enough to believe that you fail right off the bat by never attempting anything. I have also applied this law by looking for others around me to challenge them also. By extending the challenge it forces me to be one step ahead to anticipate what objections may arise and to suppress my own fears in verbalizing a response. I have been learning as is applicable to this law that we all will face challenges and obstacles in our way. Leaders need to lead that is what they do. As leaders we can’t, I can’t wait around to see what happens. I need to do something, take action by not letting those challenges and opportunities slide by. We have always talked about free will and choosing, it also applies here when implementing and understanding the law of the lid. We choose to want to grow and change. Just like we choose to hold back and remain the same. I decide if I choose the latter to accept responsibility by letting it hold me back or force me to modify. A slight variation of a plan can ultimately change the outcome.
To sum up my position I have started to see that I need to raise my level of effectiveness thereby raising the lid. Here are some action steps I hope to implement that may be able to help achieve that result. I need to take time to build relationships with those around me. Paying attention to details by being an active listener. Being an effective leader will cost me something. However the cost will be a shadow in the light of what I will receive in return.
