What the Wrights taught us about leadership

You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet. 

— Theodore Hesburgh

 

In “A Savior for all Seasons,” William Barker shares a story of a bishop from the East Coast who paid a visit to a small, Midwestern religious college around the beginning of the 20th century. He stayed at the home of the college president, who also served as the college’s professor of physics and chemistry.

 

After dinner, the bishop mentioned that he thought just about everything in nature had been discovered and that all inventions had been conceived.

 

The college president politely disagreed and said he felt there would be many more discoveries. When the bishop challenged the president to name just one such invention, the president replied he was certain that within 50 years, men would fly.

 

“Nonsense!” replied the bishop. “Only angels are intended to fly.” 

 

The bishop’s name was Milton. Milton Wright. And he had two boys at home — Orville and Wilbur — who would prove to have greater vision than their father. 

 

Emerson said, “People only see what they are prepared to see.” And this will always be one of your challenges in leadership. The progress you make as a leader is connected to your ability to overcome negative influences and voices around you and from within. Here are a few lessons from the Wright’s that can guide you on your leadership journey.

 

You will never move beyond the limitations you create in your mind

 

As long as Milton Wright had the mindset that all inventions and creations had been made, his potential was limited to that. He was not prepared to see beyond it. And as such, his ability to see into the future was restricted.

 

Be careful in your leadership not to make steel traps in your mindset that will prevent you from seeing all of the unlimited possibilities before you. As Thomas Edison said, “Hell, there are no rules here, we are trying to accomplish something.” Don’t allow a negative mindset to get in the way of progress.

 

If you want to fly, you will have to leave some people behind

 

The restrictive thinking of Milton Wright didn’t prevent his sons from doing what he only thought angels should do. They made history despite him. And this is the mindset of all successful leaders. It’s a law of leadership that you must learn. Not everyone will or should take the journey with you. 

 

Andy Stanley said, “Vision is a mental picture of what could be, fueled by a passion that it should be.” And this is the driving force behind leaders of accomplishment. Success will come to you on your terms when you spread your wings, apply yourself, and possess a willingness to leave some people behind who don’t share your dreams and vision for a brighter future. 

 

The future belongs to those who dare to dream

 

Things always seem impossible until someone does it. I would like to think that Milton Wright looked back on what he said on that trip and had a change of heart after what his sons accomplished. 

 

Orville Wright said, “If birds can glide for long periods of time, then...why can’t I?” And that is precisely the mindset that caused him and his brother to make aviation history. And history is full of similar stories of individuals who dared to ask the questions, who dared to take the risks, and who dared to dream of a better tomorrow and found a way to make it happen.

 

Final Thoughts

 

If there’s ever been a time for strong leaders who have a dream and vision to rise it’s now. Be willing to dream and see what others don’t. Be willing to leave the skeptics behind you, and dare to dream and act for a better tomorrow. 

 

Are you ready to fly?

 

©2021 Doug Dickerson

 

Read more at dougdickerson.net.