Hello, Ebenezer, I’ve been waiting
here for you... – The
Ghost of Jacob Marley
Tune in to
most any radio station and you will hear the Christmas Carols. The stores are
decorated and the bells are ringing. Yes, Christmas is upon us. Are you ready?
Are you in the Christmas spirit?
The
festivities and good cheer can bring out the best in people. It’s a time to
reflect, give thanks, and give back.
But it’s
also a time to look back on 2014 before it closes out and reflect upon your progression
as a leader and to make plans for your growth and development going into the
New Year. With the help of one such literary character of Christmas we will
learn some lessons of leadership that can help you all year.
Charles
Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a
favorite for many. It’s a timeless story that has entertained for generations.
But let’s not overlook the leadership lessons that can be found in the story.
Here are four.
Epiphany’s happen for a reason
As Scrooge
was preparing for bed he was visited by the ghost of his former business
partner Jacob Marley. Marley shows Scrooge the fate that had befallen him due
to the way he abused the poor and hoarded his wealth. Marley’s fate was now to
walk the earth bound in the chains of his own greed. Marley explains to Scrooge
that this too would be his fate if he did not change his ways.
There comes
a time in the life of every leader that you must take stock of who you are,
where you are, and re-connect with your purpose in life. Your epiphany can be a
wake-up call to make some major changes in your life or it can be to reaffirm
the course you are on. But regardless, pay attention and heed the warnings.
Not everything that glitters is gold
The Ghost of
Christmas Past takes Scrooge on a stroll down memory lane from his time as a
young man. He is seen enjoying a Christmas party given by his boss Mr.
Fezziwig. But things take a foretelling turn when the ghost shows him a
Christmas in which his fiancée, Belle, leaves him because she realizes he cares
more about money than her. He then sees Belle several years later on Christmas
Eve happily married to another man.
Scrooge was
blinded by his love for money and by his greed. It became his identity. It was
more important to him than relationships. In leadership the bottom line is not
money; it’s people. Don’t mistake your money for power or your influence for
integrity. They are not the same. When you are right on the issue of people and
relationships everything else will eventually take care of itself.
Words matter
The Ghost of
Christmas Present shows Scrooge the festivities of London as well as a sickly
Tiny Tim, Cratchit’s son. Upon expressing his concern for the boy, the ghost
informs him that he will die unless something changes. The ghost uses Scrooge’s
words about “decreasing the surplus population” against him. Presented with two
more sick children to see, again, his own words, “Are there no prisons, no
workhouses?” come back to haunt him.
As leaders
it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and say things that we wish we could
take back. I’ve spoken my fair share. How about you? Perhaps it’s time to learn
how to pause a few seconds longer before speaking the first thing that comes to
mind. How about a more kind and thoughtful approach? Make no mistake – words
matter. And you can do a lot less damage with your mouth closed.
It’s never too late to change
The Ghost of
Christmas Yet to Come shows Scrooge Christmas Day one year later where Tiny Tim
has died just as the previous spirit predicted he would. Then the ghost shows
Scrooge scenes of the death of a “wretched man” and how some people make fun of
him and are even relieved that he is dead. The ghost then shows Scrooge the
tombstone- and it bears his name. Scrooge weeps over his grave and begs for
another chance before awakening to find that it’s Christmas Day. A remorseful
Scrooge repents and becomes a generous man. He visits Fred, gives Cratchit a
raise, and takes Tiny Tim under his wings.
© 2014 Doug
Dickerson
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