Focus on choices, not conditions

May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears. – Nelson Mandela

 

“When I was a young boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song,” tenor Luciano Pavarotti relates. “He urged me to work hard to develop my voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil. I also enrolled in a teacher’s college. On graduating, I asked my father, ‘Shall I be a teacher or a singer?’ ‘Luciano,’ my father replied, ‘If you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair.’”

 

“I chose one,” Pavarotti said. “It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance, and it took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera. And now I think whether it’s laying bricks, writing a book – whatever we choose – we should give ourselves to it. Commitment, that’s the key. Choose one chair.”

 

The lesson from Pavorotti is timeless. In life as in leadership, we must be focused and choose our one chair wisely. 

 

The most common problem that many of us have when things go wrong is that we tend to focus on the wrong thing. By nature, we tend to look at the conditions around us. And the more we focus on the conditions around us – the problems and the circumstances – we lose focus on what matters most in those moments – choices.

 

When we are focused on the conditions around us, we tend to be reactionary. When we focus on choices, we tend to think in terms of values. It’s when you respond to conditions on the ground through the lens of your values that you demonstrate your leadership skill.

 

In your leadership, you will regularly face the decision to focus on choices or conditions. John Maxwell put it this way, “Those who focus on the external expect conditions to determine whether they keep their commitments. Because conditions are so transitory, their commitment level changes like the wind.” 

 

In contrast, Maxwell adds, “People who base their actions on the internal usually focus on the choices. Each choice is a crossroad, one that will either confirm or compromise their commitments.” And he identifies three ways to recognize when you come to that crossroad.

 

A personal decision is required

 

When you come to your crossroad, you will have to make a personal decision as a leader. Every leader does. And at this moment you must choose to make it based on commitments or conditions. 

 

Know this: Conditions change but commitments remain. Your leadership will ultimately be defined by the choices you make. 

 

The decision will likely cost you something

 

Every crossroad and every decision carries with it a cost. You will pay a price for your commitments and you will pay a price for your comforts. One is about your short-term benefit, the other is the long game. 

 

Know this: Each choice you make is a reflection of the maturity of your leadership.

 

Others will likely be influenced by it

 

There’s no question that every choice you make will influence others. As a leader, there’s no way around it. With this in mind, think in terms of not what is best for you but how your choice will impact those around you. Every choice has a consequence and every choice is an opportunity to add value to those around you. 

 

Know this: Each choice you make is a reflection of your influence and ultimately your legacy.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Choices or conditions. Every day you will be confronted with them. Where’s your focus? Are you consumed with the problem or are you leading with choices that provide solutions? This is not a new thing to leadership, but if you’re new to leadership, you will need to get this figured out. Choose wisely. 

 

©2022 Doug Dickerson

Doug Dickerson is a certified leadership speaker, trainer, and coach. Learn more at

dougdickerson.net/.