1. Alastair McDermott - December 10th, 2008  

   I think this is nicely summed by by the phrase “Trust, but verify”.

2. Zach Smart - December 10th, 2008  

   WOW Thats sound advice I will have to remember that i the future.

3. Andrew Hedges - December 10th, 2008  

   Weak leaders want followers, people who will blindly trust them, who will follow them to certain death. This is the military mindset. Great leaders want people who will stand up to them when they are wrong. It takes a lot of courage to be a great leader.

4. Tiara - December 10th, 2008  

   Thank you. Thank you thank you thank you. I’ve been doing a fair bit of “questioning the leader” lately and for a while I thought I was going crazy. Thank you for the validation and the support. It means a LOT.

5. Russ Weakley - December 10th, 2008  

   So, let me get this straight. You built a barrel specifically for going over the falls, went through the entire process ands then stopped it just before the count-down finished… just to teach ‘Sam’ a lesson on leadership?

   I’d love to see you teaching your kids more complex lessons like “saying no to drugs” and sex education. The mind boggles at the methods and extremes you’d go to in order to make the point! :)

6. Rui Nunes - December 10th, 2008  

   Great post Richard!
   I have those experiences all the time with my co-workers. I challenge them to question my ideas, but pursuing a common goal.
   Regards,
   Rui

7. Jof Arnold - December 10th, 2008  

   The danger being that now he questions you because you told him so ;-)

8. Ralf Lippold - December 10th, 2008  

   Richard,

   Exactly as in your story engineers, employees are following orders by their superiors without asking any deeper questions about purpose, audience (of the work), time frame, etc.

   Only that there is seldom someone who is saying, “Stop! No!”.

   Everybody has the leadership gen in him-/herself, it only has to florish (even if you don’t see it and perhaps are even intimidated first by others).

   Step forward and ask - you can turn the wheel:-))

   Best regards and many thanks

   Ralf

9. Eamon Leonard - December 10th, 2008  

   Great way to illustrate an important point.

   Leadership is relies on a two way stream of communication. I’m amazed at the amount of so-called leaders out there that don’t get that.

10. Joe Lennon - December 10th, 2008  

    Hi Richard,

    I enjoyed this story, and the lesson associated with it is a good one. You remark that “You’ve got to question leaders on occasions” - have you any advice on how to determine whether or not a particular occasion is one in which it’s reasonable to question a leader?

    Thanks in advance,
    Joe

11. Pete Moring - December 10th, 2008  

    I remember watching the series and wondered; WHY you never followed up with a second?
    It was far more exciting than ‘both’ of the ‘Apprentice’ series’ which follow a similar, if ‘tamer’ format.

    The Ballon challenge really WAS a real seat-clinger. I couldn’t believe you climbed up and over the ‘outside’ of the hot-air balloon while thousands of feet in the air. As for the young lady? WHAT A TROOPER?? She was fantastic.

    C’mon Richard. Get ITV/Channel 4 on your side for another :-)

    Pete Moring.

12. KyNam Doan - December 10th, 2008  

    A staple of a good leader indeed. You won’t be invited to speak at any military function anytime soon =D

13. Deon Swigs - December 10th, 2008  

    Good Story.
    This is something that I see far to often in Real Estate and the tutoring sector, people seem to just follow the leader no matter whats said and sometimes its just going to take thee people back to square one.
    Do you know why people follow people blindly a person they see as a leader in these situations?

14. Allan Mackintosh - December 10th, 2008  

    Simple but highly effective story! You are right we simply do not challenge leaders / management enough in the UK. When we do, it sometimes is not done in the right manner (skill) or with the right intention and this is an area of skill / attitude that needs addressing. Similarly managers and leaders have to learn to encourage challenge and constructive criticism

15. Ryan Cross - December 10th, 2008  

    I think this story also illustrates another aspect of entrepreneurs and leadership - digging your own ditch.

    Simply put, as an entrepreneur (or any type of leader) it is often important to motivate people to follow you - often into risky situations. One of the best ways to do this is to get dirty and put yourself at the same risk (or higher) than you are asking someone else to take. By putting yourself in the barrel with Sam, you had the same risk to life as he did and therefore if he trusted you wouldn’t put your own life at risk unnecessarily, so he would be as well off as you in the end (either dead or alive). In an odd twist, he was still correct since in the end, you stopped the barrel from falling and saved you both from plummeting to a likely death.

    In a less dramatic way, this also happens when you see leaders who are stuck in the mud with everyone else or doing the dirtiest jobs - like doing the washing or digging your own ditch.

16. Ryan - December 10th, 2008  

    If a leader isn’t being questioned, he isn’t doing his job properly.

17. Chris P` - December 10th, 2008  

    I think many of us would be found guilty of blindly following. Its having the time and knowledge to gather all of the facts with the leader that shows you when to jump in the barrel.

18. bubba - December 10th, 2008  

    ya know, i watched that show and i thought it was kind of harsh of you, to be honest.

    the only reason Sam made that choice was because of the context it was presented in. if it had been a real scenario, instead of staged for a reality-TV show, i doubt he would have made the same choice.

    also, the only reason the other contestant didn’t choose to take the challenge was because she was too afraid of heights, but she wasn’t admonished for not trying to overcome her fears. instead she was rewarded.

19. Nivas - December 10th, 2008  

    wow…wow…wow….
    Seriously this is first time i hear such a courageous thing from a business men….

    “U’ve to question even if I(founder of virgin group and so many other group of companies,having a vareity of experience in the world of business..etc..etc) justify anything”
    this is really authentic..

20. Harshit Sekhon - December 10th, 2008  

    Would you say a leader who cannot stand his authority being questioned is not worthy of the title? How about countries where social mores hinder the act of leadership?

21. Maynas Eric Chua - December 10th, 2008  

    Good Story Richard,

    I read about this experience from your book “Business Stripped Bare”. If Sam were to read that part and continue reading, he would have grinned at your publicity tower stunt story which followed. *Winks*

    Saw your Stunt gliding down Fantasy tower on a Video from Youtube (Two Words: Bravo and Ouch!):

    I have been in the military before and I know that getting hit at that speed while going down must have hit pretty bad. (I think I saw a piece of your trousers got ripped off in that video!)

    You wrote two lines which struck me, “Everyone thinks I’m chickening out.But I just need to think.” and “Great Leadership must include the ability to distinguish between real and apparent danger.” in page 254 and 255 of your book.

    I would think that most of your stunts have involved certain aspects of control from your part, your balloon and speedboat adventures. I was quite surprised to see that OMG jump from Fantasy towers…yes, you are far too close to the building!

    Take care Broz.
    Might like to have someone check the safety aspects of any future stunts you have have in mind. Lolz.

    —

    Congras Richard, I have read many (if not all) your books and I personally found that your latest book “Business Stripped Bare” is the best of the lot. Your book ranks among the top 3 books I have amongst my hundreds in my personal library, that says alot.

    (Even though Amazon.com only have 4 reader ratings so far though, hope more stars appear to shine for you *Smile*)

    Book lovers and knowledge seekers who want solid stuff and experience from someone who has been there and done that in a different way (the way most of us want but few did), if you are reading this but hesitating to get it, I say, go get it. You will be super duper glad you did.

    This isn’t really a book just about Business, it’s a way of life, it’s about creating a life that matters.

    —

    Your Friend from Singapore
    Maynas Eric Chua

    P.S: Richard, have been following your progress for more than a decade now, well done Broz. Keep on Shining and Rocking the World! Missed Virgin Cola in Singapore though *Winks*

22. dan - December 10th, 2008  

    he totally called your bluff!

23. tim - December 10th, 2008  

    Well if my leader gets in the barrel first, I will certainly follow him! Otherwise he is not a leader in my mind.

24. Jonathan Fields - December 10th, 2008  

    Great story. In fact, questioning leadership, in my mind, is one of the essential steps to becoming a leader in the first place. Even if the person you’re questioning is someone you trust. It’s okay to follow those who’ve earned your trust, but that doesn’t mean you shelve your intuition and intelligence along the way.

25. Steven Bullen - December 10th, 2008  

    But NASA built it.

    I would of had trouble with the height.

26. Stacy - December 10th, 2008  

    It is good practice to start questioning those in authority, like bosses or people that ask us to do things that lead to dangerous or unethical acts. I have a theory that the US and the world might not be in such a thorny place if we had challenged those in power. While they may earn bigger salaries that does not imply they can make the best decisions. The moral here might be… Think for yourself. Keep your eyes wide open and if something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.

27. Glen Allsopp - December 10th, 2008  

    I remember watching the TV show at home. I thought it was a bit harsh that someone lost the challenge that way, especially when it was clear they would do anything to work with you.

    Either way, a valuable lesson was learned!

    Cheers,
    Glen

28. Eric Graudins - December 10th, 2008  

    That’s always the dilemma of those those who have been trained to follow leaders, especially in the military.
    Do you blindly obey orders, or risk charges of insubordination when the leader want you to do something that’s clearly bloody stupid.
    Eric G.

29. Attilio - December 10th, 2008  

    Hello Richard. I don’t agree with you. Sam was just right, at last… isn’t he still alive? Ciao.

30. rupert guinness - December 10th, 2008  

    Richard, I remember this episode so vividly here in Australia. There is a difference between faith and blind faith. The strength to question can make the difference.
    Thanks for your insights
    Cheers
    Rupert Guinness

31. Dawn in Calgary - December 10th, 2008  

    Very good advice. The only voice of authority you should listen to unquestionably is your mother’s!

32. mark_hayward - December 10th, 2008  

    Hey Richard - Was he “blindly” accepting your advice or hoping to win the million dollars? :-)

    All the best.
    Mark H.
    http://trainforhumanity.org

33. Kelly Lieberman - December 10th, 2008  

    Richard,
    You make an excellent point. It is also important to question brands, even one that has taken men to the moon. NASA, as we have learned, is not infallible…

34. Lisa Young - December 10th, 2008  

    EGADS!

    This is exactly what I tell my team on a regular basis. I’m just as human as they are, and while I may have a bit of knowledge they don’t have, that doesn’t make me infallible.

    If only more leaders encouraged this kind of actual THINKING on the part of their team. Sadly, many managers (notice, I didn’t say leaders) are too afraid of being stripped of power if shown to be less than perfect.

    You saved him from his own blindness. Would that we were all so fortunate.

35. Brian in Portland - December 10th, 2008  

    Richard,

    Thanks for an inspiring post. Corporate America could use a lesson in CRM in the boardroom. Flying in an airliner near the speed of sound 5 miles high has never been safer. Working in corporate America has never been more dangerous.

36. Mark Grimes - December 10th, 2008  

    So then trust (and leadership) often becomes factors of experience and reputation. Trust often starts in small steps and grows between two people as time passes and there becomes more and more reasons to trust one another. This also speaks to social networks of trusting friends of friends. Trust, truth and honor are paramount to how good business and great relationships are based. While paperwork, agreements and contracts maybe necessary in business, there’s still nothing better than a handshake and a person whose word is his/her bond. And when it comes to questioning leaders, the most exciting innovations and opportunities come from asking new questions that no one else is asking (imo). Be well.

37. IvySlith - December 11th, 2008  

    Well said to transmit a point: Question Leader’s motivation.

    Then it goes to say: Act upon your own motivation. There’ll be no failure but adventure. :P

38. Albert Hallado - December 11th, 2008  

    Hi Sir Richard,

    I tottally agreed! >>>You shouldn’t blindly accept a leader’s advice. You’ve got to question leaders on occasions.’

    Folling a leader is GREAT but you still need to be wise and use wisdom!!

    Thanks’
    Albert Hallado

39. Rob Barham - December 13th, 2008  

    Nice anecdote,

    The airline company I worked for went bankrupt recently, I have realized that you can actually learn more from a business failure than a success. One of the things I have learned is that I will shout louder next time I see things I don’t agree with.

40. Donna Jackson - December 14th, 2008  

    leaders are indead rare, and much more so that we think, but egos are many and they call themselves leaders and will entertain no questioning of their purpose and motives. That’s why we find ourselves in the mess we are in.

41. Brandi Jo Newman - December 14th, 2008  

    Great lesson and one I will use bright and early on Monday morning!

42. Apolinaras Sinkevicius - December 15th, 2008  

    In my career I have learned the importance of taking that risk and questioning leadership. Two things that are important to me are:
    1. Context. If you are doing it to protect the organization, make it clear. If you have ulterior motives - shut up and keep it to yourself.
    2. Integrity. I don’t care who you are, if I see you going the destructive direction, I will risk my relationship with you to keep you from falling off the cliff. Ignoring it and looking the other way is no different than pushing you off that cliff.

    Just my humble 2 cents.
    Apolinaras “Apollo” Sinkevicius

43. Bradley Chapman - December 16th, 2008  

    Hi Richard - I am an Entrepreneur who has been through a great deal of adversity. I own a business called Million Impossible http://www.millionimpossible.com which is an online network for Entrepreneurs and a digital magazine called Raw Entrepreneur. I launched the business year ago.

    Our ehthos is about adversity and how can be avoided or overcome. I have been working quite closely with Rachel Elnaugh recently who has also been through a great deal of adversity.

    I was bankrupt a year ago after loosing everything to the mother of my children have told my story and shared my thoughts on my blog.

    I am not sure if you have the time to read all your replies on your blog but I wanted to ask you a question?

    My question is this - At 38 years of age I am now faced with another adversity, which i have to deal with and overcome in order to progress my business. At what point does honour and integrity affect what you know you have to do to survive?

    I am faced with having to do somehitng that I am not comfortable with but have to make the decision to do it in order to protect my business and my customers.

    Thank you for your time

    Merry xmas to you and your family

    Regards
    Bradley Chapman

    “Dreams to Reality”

44. Bradley Chapman - December 16th, 2008  

    Richard

    I have added my blog from my previous message to you…

    http://theunknownentrepreneur.wordpress.com

    What do you think about my idea for Entrepreneur School? Is this something that your business team might be interested in hearing more about?

    http://www.millionimpossible.com/entrepreneur-school.asp

    Kind Regards
    Bradley Chapman

45. Markus Daehn - December 19th, 2008  

    One thing that this lesson fails to address is “when is it appropriate to question leadership?” There are times when action must be taken out of faith with limited information, especially in situation when the lack of immediate action has dire consequences. Simply questioning leadership because your have ideological differences undermines an organizations effectiveness. But I do agree that people shouldn’t blindly follow their leaders.

46. Fiid’s Blog » Blog Archive » Questioning Leadership - December 26th, 2008  

    [...] Richard Branson has just posted a great post on questioning leadership. [...]

47. Ira - December 27th, 2008  

    Barrel over falls? Bish please! What about taking the guy up in a plane and then shutting down the engines? :-)

48. Renee - December 31st, 2008  

    My mantra, from Buddha:
    “Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.”

    This sure ain’t what they teach you in the military!

49. Dexter - January 12th, 2009  

    Now that’s a lesson in leadership. I agree with the “Trust but verify” theory. I came across with the “trust and verify” theory a lot through my readings, but nothing’s as comprehensible as this lesson from Sir Richard Branson. That’s why i strongly believe that true leaders dislikes the “yes man” type of person. Thanks Sir Richard.

50. goegre corpus San Diego CA - January 12th, 2009  

    Hello Richard,
    I was fortunate to watch the series, and especially the one event. I love that, questioning leaders, almost all of us want to do this at work but most are afraid. It’s like my father always said, “the dumb question is the one that goes unasked!”. Thanks Ridhard God bless.

51. Barbara Mackie - January 27th, 2009  

    Sir Richard Branson,
    Your point was exceptionally well made. I am not a follower, always questioning and seeking a “better way”, but I do believe who YOU are and the respect you have earned worldwide as a “true” leader and entrepreneur is very much a contributing factor in this scenario of blind followers.
    With respect, but not blinders,
    Barbara

52. Alexander Bullivant - February 6th, 2009  

    Dear Richard,

    You are a great inspiration to me - love the lack of a tie and beard too.

    I wrote this on my blog about Leaders, Would like to know what you think? Thanks, Alex,:-

    Great business results require great leadership and management. These I believe, are the required attributes of strong business leaders and managers :

    Can articulate a compelling vision of the future that’s clear and focused
    Make decisions intelligently, quickly and with commitment
    Have high expectations in self and others
    Establish a success formula and achieve tasks efficiently
    Search for new opportunities for the firm to consider
    Be flexible and refocus in light of new opportunities or threats
    A good communicator with a simple message
    A charismatic and enthusiastic personality
    Able to mobilise people and hold the firm together
    Can inspire confidence and empower others
    Can bring out the best in others
    Credible, courageous and proactive
    Embraces technology
    Can manage change effectively

    I build this list in April 2008. Over the years I’ve worked with business managers and leaders who have had a fair few of these traits, but also worked with a few who got to the top through nothing more than being great salesmen.

    They forgot to change their mentality (if it were possible) from all about “self” to all about building a great business, something lasting, something for all stakeholders to equally benefit from and more importantly respects its customers/clients. Banking executives are a case in point.

    Also you won’t attract and retain the best workforce with greed, hubris, stupidity, lack of vision and no modern business acumen.

    Http://blog.roxbourne.com

53. ambshah - March 7th, 2009  

    Great post, one flaw that i see in the trust but verify theory is how do you know when to verify and when to trust, surely not everything in the world can be verified.
    in my opinion the person willing to follow you down the victoria falls was right in his trust since his leader eventually did not let him fall to certain death.

    in india satyam stakeholders and investors believed and trusted the ceo , but did not verify . i think it is a paradox when you trust you implicitly remove the need to verify. so in effect only those persons who are mistrustful are good leaders ?? hmmm.

54. Roy Brownlow - March 12th, 2009  

    The “trust by verify” cannot always be true, especially in the case of Obama’s leadership. When Joe the Plumber questioned Obama’s leadership, he was chastised and all but crucified. So it probably goes to say, “trust but verify, except if it’s Obama.”

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