[April 05, 2014] There is an old proverb that says that opportunity knocks only once. While there are many meanings, one common interpretation is that when something presents itself to you, there is only one chance to make the right decision on it.
“Opportunity knocks only once. You never know if you’ll get another opportunity.” – Leon Spinks
In leadership this is probably not true. Leaders actually get many chances to make good decisions. Bad leaders either do not recognize those opportunities, fail to make a decision, or make wrong decisions many times over. A single decision made poorly is not a problem although many leaders fear even the smallest mistake.
Opportunities to do well and to make good decisions are commonplace. This is true for everyone.
Our biggest problem is failure to recognize that we are in a position to act on it. Those who do not do well in life, those who are failures, those that are frustrated by their lot in life, these are the very people who consistently fail to make any decision on the many opportunities they have been given.
What is most interesting about this is that leaders do not even have to make the right decision on everything. Leaders can make many mistakes. The trick is to be right on most things and be right on the big things.
There is a lesson here for leaders. Realize that every day presents many opportunities. Train yourself to recognize those opportunities. Then take action and don’t worry so much about the small stuff.
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