Five Leadership and Success Lessons from The Death of Osama bin Laden

In the last 30 hours the biggest topic of conversation and the focus of all media has been the news of the killing of Osama bin Laden.   Unless you have been under a rock (which is sort of where most people assumed bin Laden was), you’ve heard the news.

I am not a newscaster or pundit, but from this news comes at least five lessons that leaders can learn from, and those same lessons apply to anyone who wants to achieve more in any area of life.

Take a Unexpected Approach. The first of the lessons comes from bin Laden.  For years the experts have assumed he was hiding, in a cave (under a rock?).  Clearly he was successful in achieving his objective of not being found for a long time by thinking differently, and by taking a contrarian approach.  If you want to achieve great things, it is often accomplished by doing things differently than everyone expects.  Think about how much of the coverage has been about this one fact. This lesson is an important one – and is one major lesson that can be learned from Osama bin Laden.  How often do you consider a different approach?  How often are you willing to the opposite of what others have tried?

The other four lessons don’t come from bin Laden, but from the leadership of the United States.  While you will never have to lead on an issue as complex, difficult, expensive or public as this effort, there are clear lessons you can take from their actions to help you be a more effective leader.

Take the Long View. For over ten years, under at least two different Presidents, the capture or killing of bin Laden has been a #1 priority.  That priority and focus has been maintained at exceedingly high costs in resources, political capital, dollars and even lives.  Yet those leaders kept the focus, continued to direct their teams to pursue this goal.   How long of a view do you take?  Do you (or would you) keep a single minded focus for that long, under the pressures these leaders faced?

Take Risks.  All of the new reports say that even when President Obama gave the order to attack the compound, he wasn’t 100% sure bin Laden was there.  After all of the intelligence, clues and supposition, the President had to make a tough decision that put lives at stake.  Are you willing to take risks to achieve your goals?

Take Time to Plan and Practice.  The first clues regarding bin Laden’s whereabouts came in August.  The attack took place in April.   Multiple plans of attack were identified.  A full size version of compound was created and the mission was practiced in real time at that site.   When you are pursuing a major goal are you patient enough to prepare adequately?  Do you practice the skills you need for success?

Take Decisive Action. In the end, success comes to those willing to implement.  After all the planning and practice, action came swift and powerfully.   In planning your efforts or the efforts of your team, do you take action in this way?  once you clear the roadblocks and make a decision, do you act quickly and will full focus and force?

I’ve purposely ended each of these lessons with a question – to help you reflect on your answers.   While the questions are important, more important are the actions you take based on your answers.  As you navigate the projects and challenges you face today, consider these questions, and then take action.