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June 16, 2008
Discovering The Power of One
There are times when you may make a decision you are uncertain of but where you must have the absolute confidence of your team and those who follow you, so you can effect change. If someone were to look into your eyes, they would believe you are oozing with confidence. They would just know whatever it is you are trying to make happen, will just happen.
One person can make a difference. When you understand this, you will start to understand the “Power of One.”
Yes there will be people around you who will have doubt. Your job isn’t to engage in dialog with these people or rationalize your actions with them. Your victory comes when you get to your stated goal. And there is no need to point out to anyone that made it to your goal. Do this enough times and the people around you will recognize your “Steel Confidence” and will eventually have to respect your actions. Whether they believe in them or not.
There have been a number of times in my life where I know I helped make something happen because I had absolute confidence in my ability to make it happen. And I know if I blinked then nothing would have happened. This isn’t about bluffing. It is in the absolute belief in making something happen.
A key to success is not to blink and change directions at the last minute. Once you commit to doing something you must show your continued confidence through the entire process.
Play it right and you can change the world. The Power of One is unbounded. The next step is up to YOU.
Tags: Entrepreneurship, leadership, Entrepreneur, Jeff Pulver
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Posted by jeff on June 16, 2008 07:19 AM | Permalink
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Comments
Nice message, though I'm not sure that you have to develop "steel confidence" to get the people around you to respect your actions.
I think that even the occasional choice to stand up for something that goes against the grain will get you noticed.
Posted by: Portland at June 17, 2008 01:46 AM
The power of confidence is incredible. Not only is it a good feeling inside but it radiates strength, durability and trust.
Yes, I agree with you 100 percent about the power of one. Yes, we each of us have the power of making a difference.
Remember the guy who stood in front of a military tank somewhere overseas? Stopped a whole convoy of military vehicles by stepping in front of one. Not very smart but a powerful image of the power of what one person can do when stepping up to the plate.
Posted by: Stephen Hopson at June 17, 2008 01:19 AM
@AdrianR - I think you may have missed the point of what was said here.
But I would admit having a history of being a "benevolent dictator."
Posted by: Jeff Pulver at June 16, 2008 07:41 PM
"Um." "Er." "But, well, maybe." These words have value too.
So what are you saying - "don't listen to those around you", "don't listen to your inner voice raising doubts, just drive on regardless". I am sure that these are the traits of the dictator.
I do not know you, but your advice sounds like the Rambo school of management ... I don't want to work for Rambo.
I like Jim Collins' article in HBR Jan 2001 "Level 5 Leadership: The Triumph of Humility and Fierce Resolve". This includes the effective leader's ability to drive toward a solution, but emphasizes the counter-intuitive value of humility.
I like Marshall Goldsmith's "What Got You Here Won't Get You There", where this Executive Coach emphasizes the need for truly great leaders to adapt rather stick to dogmatic stances.
So I agree resolve is needed. But unthinking resolve, inflexible resolve, resolve that does not involve listening ... these are dangerous traits, especially when exercised by those with positional power.
Posted by: AdrianR at June 16, 2008 07:12 PM
I love the idea of "not bluffing", but rather truly believing you can do it, and not accepting less.
That way, even if things don't work out, you don't have the frustration of looking back and feeling like you faked your way through it, or worrying that you didn't have enough faith in your goal.
It's up to you to invest and buy in first. If you don't buy it, no one else will.
Posted by: Meg at June 16, 2008 03:13 PM
Forgive me, I have a 13 year old son, but you have to see Kung Fu Panda!!
Posted by: Mary Anne Davis at June 16, 2008 02:58 PM
So, think Kirk and Picard when you set that course, cool...
Posted by: Darren Daz Cox at June 16, 2008 01:39 PM
Excellent post, great words. Very empowering.
Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead!
Thanks, I needed that :)
Posted by: isle at June 16, 2008 01:32 PM
Great post Jeff. I love the message. As one who has run corporate subsidiaries abroad, I would add that depending on our position, we have to remember to manage up as well.
Interestingly, this is also the era of "the power of one" in other ways, as shown by shifts wrought by social media, and an article published on June 16th in Australia called "The Power of One" about SPUDs (Single Person Urban Dwelling) as a dominant consumer force. http://digg.com/arts_culture/Power_of_the_Single_Demographic_SPUDs
Posted by: Linda Sherman at June 16, 2008 01:23 PM
Confidence and persistence are two keys to building trust in others. Great post Jeff.
Posted by: Chris at June 16, 2008 10:21 AM
@gregory - for years I've referred to this as "the power of one." But it sounds like we are talking about the same mystical space.
Posted by: Jeff Pulver at June 16, 2008 09:45 AM
it is not the power of one, it is the power of the One, which is not a religious statement, but is a mystical reality. set yourself aside and let it flow, far more will happen than anything one can do.
Posted by: gregory at June 16, 2008 09:28 AM
Amen to that Jeff! :)
Posted by: Kosso at June 16, 2008 08:26 AM
Jeff,
You are in so many ways grabbing my shoulders, turning me and correcting my direction back to my path.
Once again, I awake to read your post and it feels like the message it is just for me.
Thank you.
Posted by: Suki Fuller at June 16, 2008 08:21 AM