'Q. What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned?
A. Let people do things. If they do it better than you, let them do it. You have to recognise that in order for this plane to fly, I need co-pilots, I need engineers, I need passengers.
Q. How did you learn that?
A. There’s no formula. It’s kind of the natural thing to do. I’ve been in a competitive situation almost all my life. I’ve been having a competition with myself and trying to be the best I could be. I did a lot of praying. I did a lot of preparation. But then, I also learned how to release, how to let go. That’s a constant learning process — how to let go and let somebody else do it who knows how to do it better than you do it. If it keeps the plane in the air, fine.
Q. What else have you learned?
A. I want to know who you are as a person, and then I want you to develop as a whole human being. One thing I cannot stand is when people say, “Hi, how are you?” and they don’t wait to hear how I am. They’re just going through the motions. I say to people: “Keep it human. Keep it alive. Don’t turn into a robot.” You have to hear what the other person is saying clearly. You have to listen, and really care, because we’re all the same under the skin. I’ve danced all over the world, and people are people. We cannot cut off from each other in life. In order to lead, you can’t do that. '
For more, see - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/business/29corner.html?_r=1&ref=business
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