Leadership essentials — the wishbone, backbone, and funny bone

I recently came upon

Reba McEntire’s simple, yet profound quote, “To thrive in life, you need three bones: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.” It immediately resonated with me as a great leadership framework because it sums up the essence of leadership and serves as a guiding principle for leaders seeking to navigate the complexities of their roles with grace, determination, and humor. The Wish Bone: Fueling Aspiration

In business, the wish bone serves as the driving force behind innovation and progress. It’s the ability to dream big, envision the possibilities beyond the current reality, and set audacious goals. Having a strong wish bone means not being bound by limitations, but instead daring to reach for the stars. It’s about fostering creativity, nurturing ideas, and continuously seeking growth and improvement.

Without a strong wish bone, businesses risk stagnation and settling for mediocrity rather than aiming for greatness.

The Back Bone: Steadfast Resilience

The back bone represents resilience, determination, and unwavering resolve when encountering setbacks. It’s the strength to overcome obstacles, learn from failures, adapt to changing circumstances, and persevere when it would be easier to give up.

A strong back bone allows leaders to make difficult decisions. It provides unwavering systems and values enabling them to stand firm in the face of adversity.

Leaders with a strong backbone inspire confidence and trust within their teams. The backbone is the anchor which keeps leaders grounded and resilient, allowing them to weather storms and emerge stronger on the other side.

Without a resilient back bone, businesses are vulnerable to being derailed by setbacks and obstacles, unable to withstand the inevitable bumps along the road.

The Funny Bone: Embracing Humor and Perspective

The funny bone represents humor, creativity, and the ability to find levity in the midst of challenges. Having a strong funny bone means being able to laugh at mistakes, find joy in the journey, and foster a positive and inclusive work culture.

With a strong funny bone, a leader won’t take themselves