“Nip It in the Bud” Leaders Journal

“Nip It In The Bud”

Leaders Journal | Episode 68 | Transcript

Over the years, I’ve learned important leadership lessons at different times, in different ways from many different people.

I’ve gleaned timeless, universal concepts from books I’ve read, from training I’ve attended, from speakers I’ve heard. And believe it or not, I’ve even captured practical leadership lessons from television I’ve watched.

My favorite television program, quite possibly could be your favorite as well.

After all, TV Guide ranked it as the 15th best American television program of all time.

Since it’s first episode on October 3rd, 1960, its full compliment of 249 episodes have played non-stop as reruns on local and satellite channels for more than 55 consecutive years!

The show I’m referring to, of course, is The Andy Griffith Show. 1 And no character was more beloved than the character played for five glorious seasons by the late, great, Emmy award winning Don Knotts.

The bumbling antics of one inept — but good-hearted — Deputy Barney Fife, have entertained millions of multi-generational viewers over the past 6 decades.

But I ask you — have you ever thought of “ole’ Barn’ “ as a leadership guru?

I’m Phillip Van Hooser — and I have!

By now, you know that I enjoy sharing leadership truths found in all the strange places.

Some time ago, I was speaking to a group of college interns working for a nationwide agriculture company.

During our “Q and A” period, one of the students asked,

“Mr. Van Hooser, if you were just beginning your career — starting again where we are now, but knowing what you now know — what one thing would you do differently?”

Now that’s an excellent question!

Let’s face it.

The easiest, least painful method of learning anything, is to learn that thing — from someone else’s mistake.

Conversely, the hardest, most painful learning method is personally making mistakes — then having to deal with the consequences which naturally follow.

So — what this young, but very intuitive student was really asking was,

“Mr. Van Hooser, what have YOU screwed up in YOUR career so BADLY that it stands out in your mind today — so I can know to recognize and avoid that same mistake in my career ahead?”

Again, that’s brilliant!

So, as I paused and considered my response, believe it or not, the first image that popped into my head was that of Barney Fife and I simultaneously heard myself speaking one of Barney’s favorite lines:

“Nip it, nip it in the bud!”

The young woman and her colleagues laughed — which was fine — but I wasn’t trying to be funny.

I was serious.

If I had my career to live over again, one thing I know for sure that I would work to overcome would be the inherent, ever-present temptation to delay taking necessary and appropriate action.

True leaders are problem solvers.

Therefore, as problems arise, followers naturally look for their leaders to spring into action until they don’t. 2 At that point followers naturally begin to question, “Why am I trusting and following this leader if he or she is predisposed to doing nothing? Anybody can do that.”

As I’ve pointed out previously, leaders are human, not super-human. Thankfully, leaders don’t have to be perfect to lead effectively but they must be engaged — willing to take action when the need arises.

So here’s your personal leadership challenge for the week ahead.

Identify something which you know needs to be addressed — something you’ve consciously delayed or put off — and go to work on it. Start right now. The earlier you start the better.

Deputy Fife’s admonition to “nip” a problem “in the bud” is simply the common man’s way of saying, resolve the problem early on before it blossoms and blooms into a full blown leadership crisis or catastrophe.

You know what needs to be done.

You know the specific situations that need your attention and action, right now.

So don’t delay ... Start nippin’!