Leadership and Smallpox

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Did you know that smallpox is a possible weapon in the fight against cancer? I didn’t. Why would I? I’m not in the medical research field. But, I am interested in new technology and like everyone else, I’m just a little concerned about cancer.

What’s does this have to do with leadership? It’s how I learned about smallpox and cancer.

Last week I was a volunteer judge for the speaking portion of a student organization’s contest. One of the young women spoke of this smallpox – cancer connection in her speech, saying that smallpox was being tested against breast cancer. I had never heard that and was a bit skeptical so, during a break I did a quick search on the subject and found that she was at least partially correct.

When I judge at these types of events I really don’t expect to hear anything new. The speaker was no more than 15 or 16 years old and at that age, there isn’t much original research. That’s where the leadership lesson emerges.

We must always be alert to the possibility of information and ideas coming from where we least expect them. Never discount someone because of their age or experience. You never know where the next idea will come from that will set you on a new path to success.

The other lesson came from my quick check of this young woman’s facts. Apparently, smallpox is being used in clinical trials to treat otherwise untreatable liver cancer. It is only in the initial stages of consideration for breast cancer. So, the other lesson is follow-up to satisfy yourself that the information provided is accurate. In this case a valuable piece of information came from a completely unexpected source. The fact that she was a little off on the details doesn’t diminish the importance and potential of the information.

There’s probably someone in your organization with a bit of information, a suggestion, or an idea that is valuable and maybe a little unexpected. Are you listening?