Childlike vs. Childish

leadershipYou could learn a lot about leadership from a child.

As the father of three young children, I’m daily reminded how wonderfully exasperating kids can be. One minute they’re sweet and pure and glorious, the next they’re bawling, selfish and stubborn. They’re little amplified versions of you and me—unapologetically parading around our vices and virtues—without that veil of propriety we grown-ups prefer to hide behind.

Unfortunately, in our rush to “mature” and stamp out the impropriety of youth, we often discard the positive aspects of childhood—to our detriment as leaders. However, those who successfully feed their childlike passions, while starving their childish ones, grow up to become our most captivating and inspiring leaders. Think Mother Teresa, Walt Disney or Nelson Mandela.

Childlike Leaders are:

Childish Leaders are:

How do you pursue childlikeness while avoiding childishness as a leader?

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