Paper Napkin Wisdom

Successful entrepreneurs owe it to future generations of entrepreneurs to pay forward their failures, not their successes." These words may have been the best I have ever heard uttered on stage by an entrepreneur. Unfortunately for the audience, he went on to detail all his triumphs and great decisions for 45 minutes following this great statement. What a let-down. We often judge the success of a leader or entrepreneur by their public persona. The reality is, however, that the great lessons of leadership and strength of character and conviction come in quieter more private moments. It is in those moments that leadership is defined. Tenacity, perseverance, and the ability to get up after set-backs, especially when they come quickly in succession, is the hallmark of great leadership. For entrepreneurs and managers in companies - the ability to persevere and influence your team to rise to the occasion in all circumstances is based not just on the focus on your strategic priorities but also the leaders to compel them to consider great thoughts in a deliberate and intentional way. “To lead people, walk beside them. As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate. When the best leader's work is done the people say, We did it ourselves!” – Lao Tzu Paper Napkin Wisdom teaches Leadership in the way we learn best – from other great leaders who walk beside us.I have spoken with 100s of them and challenged them to share their greatest pearls of wisdom simply and briefly – on a Paper Napkin. We discuss why this lesson was important to them, why it helped to define their success – and they share their set-backs and challenges with us to inspire, influence, and ignite great leadership in all of us and our teams.