Leadership courage: Changing your mind

I think I've blogged before about my love of cricket and how, particularly in the 5-day game, the captain of a side has to be a leader of men very much like in the workplace. England are currently playing India in 4 tests, if England win by 2 clear tests, they become the No.1 Test side in the world deposing India from that slot. This is a competitive series to say the least.

For non-cricketers this is difficult to explain, but by tea on Day 3, England were in command after much too'ing and fro'ing on Days 1 & 2. The ball before the tea interval gave India an opportunity to get Bell, the English batsman, out when he was doing very well. In fact they did get him out, but it wasn't in the spirit of the game and Bell had unwittingly been stupid and placed himself in a position where the Indians could exploit it and Bell was given out by the umpires.

Many captains would have stuck with their position, but MS Dhoni, the Indian Captain, over the interval actively listened to his players, sought their opinion, and also listened to the England captain and coach. He sought and found different views and opinions and on reflection, MS Dhoni decided he could change his mind and Bell was re-instated and was able to bat on.

A brave decision for any leader to make, but even more so considering the pressure situation and the dismissal was something that could have swung the game in India's favour once more. However, MS Dhoni listened to those around him and had the courage to change his mind in front of his team, a crowd of many thousands and the umpteen tv pundits all willing to give their view.

I'm not sure many leaders in work or in sport would have the courage to do that. In the end, the decision didn't affect the result at all, but most people acknowledge that MS Dhoni made the right one. It's a lesson for us all as leaders - have the courage to listen to your team and others and be willing to change your mind if you come to the conclusion you've made a mistake. Far better to admit to a mistake and quickly reverse it than stubbornly continue down the old path.

Well done MS Dhoni, I hope everyone learns something from your courage.