Five Puzzling Paradoxes

A writer hung out with some billionaires and contrary to common perceptions seem to have some common sense about how to be a good leader. She uncovers some truths that shocked her. Those of us who have created healthy organizations know these truths to be somewhat self-evident. It's nice to see some kudos given to some heroic authors, like Dr. Brene Brown. Here are the article's paradoxes:

• Vulnerability is a powerful display of courage
• An effective way to lead is to serve
• Humility is a powerful expression of confidence
• The best way to learn is to teach
• Fear cultivates fearlessness

To the author's list, I would add two of which I've written extensively:

• To change your organization you need to change yourself first: the rest of the organization will continue to respond and react the same to your behaviors and decisions if you act the same. If you insist that all strategies and tactics be approved by you, they will not take initiative, be innovative or be willing to risk failure by daring big--or do extraordinary things for your customers.
• To increase trustworthiness you need to confer trustworthiness on them: people will often act according to the expectations. If you believe them to be untrustworthy, they will be untrustworthy. If you trust them, they will be trustworthy. This is often shown by the policies you put in place. Do your policies say you trust them or you don't?