icon-email icon-facebook icon-linkedin icon-print icon-rss icon-search icon-stumbleupon icon-twitter icon-arrow-right icon-email icon-facebook icon-linkedin icon-print icon-rss icon-search icon-stumbleupon icon-twitter icon-arrow-right icon-user Skip to content
Senior Correspondent

Failing is easy – chase urgencies and neglect priorities. 

Success is found by passionately doing what matters most. The thing that matters most for leaders is building other leaders. 

If you don’t develop others, you’ll never reach extraordinary. 

How to develop others? 

1. Avoid the Model T. Before driving a Model T, you crank it to get it started. If you have to convince, cajole, or constantly crank someone to get them going, that’s all you’ll ever do. You’ll crank them, they’ll sputter, and you’ll crank them again the next time. Failing is easy; just spend your time cranking. 

2. Put passion first. Find the most passionate people available and throw gas on their fire.

3. Consider potential second. Potential seduces leaders who are dedicated to developing leaders. You see someone with talent, skills, and/or education, and you start drooling like a dog at a dish. Potential separated from passion is constant frustration and ultimate disappointment.

4. Respect matters. The more people respect you, the more impact you’ll have.

5. Practice trumps theory. Talking is useful, but action matters most. Go with people prone to act.

6. Remember the sandbox principle. How well do they play with others?

The Rule of the Needle

When it comes to people, there’s never perfect clarity regarding whom to coach, mentor, and teach.

Ask yourself, “Are they passionate?” If the needle tips to yes, ask, “Do they have potential in this area?” If the answer is yes, ask, “Are they naturally inclined to act?”

The needle determines what or who matters most. It doesn’t point to perfection or create certainty. Waiting for certainty and perfection wastes time and stalls progress. The needle indicates likelihood of success.

How do you determine what matters most?

How do you identify people you plan to develop?

Stay Up to Date

Sign up for articles by Dan Rockwell and other Senior Correspondents.

Latest Stories

Choosing Senior Living
Love Old Journalists

Our Mission

To amplify the voices of older adults for the good of society

Learn More