Seek Solutions
Ready — Born in 1877 to formerly enslaved parents, Garrett Morgan received a limited formal education. In an era of segregation and racial discrimination, opportunities for African American inventors were few. Yet Morgan refused to let prejudice determine his future. Instead of dwelling on the barriers before him, he concentrated on solving problems that affected everyday people.
Set — Morgan's first major invention was a safety hood, an early gas mask designed to help firefighters and rescue workers breathe in smoke-filled environments. In 1916, when an explosion trapped workers inside a tunnel beneath Lake Erie, Morgan personally used his invention to rescue several men. Newspapers downplayed his role because of his race, but his invention gained international recognition.
A few years later, after witnessing a serious automobile accident, Morgan realized traffic had become too dangerous for the simple stop-and-go signals then in use. He designed a three-position traffic signal that included a caution phase between "Go" and "Stop." That simple innovation became the foundation for the modern traffic light used throughout the world.
What made Morgan a success? Here are five leadership lessons to keep in mind:
Focus on Solutions: Morgan looked beyond prejudice to the problems that needed solving.
Serve Others: His inventions were designed to protect and preserve life.
Rise Above Unfair Treatment: Morgan refused to allow discrimination to extinguish his calling.
See Opportunity: Great innovations often begin by observing ordinary challenges.
Let Excellence Speak: Morgan's work earned respect because it consistently delivered results.
Grow! — Leaders encounter unfair treatment or closed doors. While those experiences are painful, they do not have to define your life. Like Garrett Morgan, faithful leaders remain focused on God's calling rather than on the obstacles placed before them. Great leaders are not remembered because life was easy. They are remembered because they refused to let adversity keep them from serving others. Leadership flourishes when vision is stronger than opposition
Two Questions
What unmet need in your organization is waiting for a creative solution?
Are you allowing criticism to discourage you or strengthen your resolve?