The smartest CEOs are vulnerable, open to hearing what they don’t know, and are always trying to learn. They show up asking more questions than any one else. They are OK with feeling stupid, because they know by learning, they’ll come out ahead. FAR ahead of those who think they know it all, or are afraid of looking stupid, or don’t want to learn new ways to grow their company.
January is a time, when the most successful people set goals for the year. And these goals often include learning how to be even better than they were last year.
Consider these quotes from some great leaders before us. Then ask yourself, are you ready to grow, or are you that smart that you know it all already? Remember, business is changing SO rapidly that if the rate of change outside your business, is greater than the rate of change inside your business, you’re out of business.
“As long as you’re green, you’re growing. As soon as you’re ripe, you start to rot.” Ray Kroc, McDonalds
“Never be the smartest person in the room.” Michael Dell
*Another way to put that is – If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.