What's The Shortest Distance Between 2 Points?

Often times we are convinced that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. While this might remain true for scientific or mathematical pursuits, it has no validity in leadership roles.

In leadership, the shortest distance between two points is self-discipline. -Tweet This!

Leaders can be tempted to take short cuts in life and when we do we will surely fail. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But eventually, the shortcut will come back to bite you.

Cutting corners indicates that you have lost control of your emotions. You become impatient and quickly forget all about your values and principles. Impatience can also lead to forfeiting your goals and little by little lead you down a road to destruction.

I recently experienced this failure in my professional life.

A client of mine, who I also consider a dear friend, was in a real pickle. He desperately needed a massive project done in a mere 72-hour window. The work was straight forward and certainly within my expertise. Realistically, the project never stood a chance of completion within the timeframe allotted, but I agreed to take it on without ever once considering the likelihood of actually fulfilling expectations. I eagerly agreed to help my friend out in any way possible because I didn't want to see him lose a client over this project.

A friend was in need.

I had the expertise and skills that could help him out.

My emotions cried out as my heart ached for him. I couldn't bare seeing him in this predicament. And I never once rationally thought through the timeline.

I built up the expectation that the project would be completed in 72 hours. By agreeing to do this, I ended up doing more harm than good. My client went to his client and declared that the project would be completed within the unrealistic timeframe. He built up expectations with his client and I built up expectations with my client all based on emotions.

This is what should have happened:

I should have let my friend fail. I know it sounds bad but hear me out...

My friend could have finished the project within the original timeframe but made seemingly small, good intention, shortcuts that led to a sinking ship. Once he realized he was in over his head, I came rushing in thinking I could save the day and shield him from the inevitable pain of failure from his mistakes. The truth is, he needed to fail in order to receive the consequences for taking short cuts. These consequences would have provided a phenomenal learning experience for my friend and assisted him in his leadership development.

Additionally, if I had treated this project and client like all my others I would have seen that this timeframe was unrealistic. I forfeited my project-selection process and instead let my mood and impulse make a decision. I took a short cut. Normally, I would have assessed the project, drawn up a contract with deliverables and deadlines, had the client review the contract and sign off on it, and then begin work. During this process, I have to believe that I would have calmed down enough to rationalize the magnitude of the project and the improbable timeframe.

Lesson learned: Self-discipline is the shortest distance between 2 points. Never make a decision based on emotions alone.

For more insights on this topic, consider reading Failing Forward by John C. Maxwell.

What have you learned from failure in your life? How could self-discipline play a role in avoiding future failure?

If you feel inspired to do so, leave your comments in the section below.