Great Leaders Live Like Drug Addicts
For recovering addicts, letting go of the uncontrollable and practicing rigorous authenticity aren’t lifestyle choices – they are often matters of life or death. These same principles that helped pull me out of a life of homeless and the depths of addiction are the...
For recovering addicts, letting go of the uncontrollable and practicing rigorous authenticity aren’t lifestyle choices – they are often matters of life or death. These same principles that helped pull me out of a life of homeless and the depths of addiction are the ones that also helped me become the leader of an Inc. 500 company years later.
I found that the habits of an addict helped create a culture where employees felt more comfortable being themselves, communication flowed freely as vulnerability was met with compassion, and work was performed with by passionate people who clearly understood their roles, purpose, and contributions.
I believe rigorous authenticity, more than any other practice of addiction recovery, can bolster or even save organizations or any type and any size. But it takes the right combination, timing, and implementation of four core principles to create a work culture that thrives – even after you finally dare to tell one another the truth.
