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 too seriously, making them more approachable.  It enables leaders to connect with their teams on a personal level, creating a workplace which is not only productive but also enjoyable.

A leader with a well-developed funny bone understands the importance of lightening the mood.  Humor serves as a powerful tool to break down barriers, encourage creativity, and enhance overall team dynamics.

The funny bone is also a vital coping mechanism.  With demands of tight deadlines, demanding projects, and occasional setbacks, humor can act as a release valve, allowing the team to momentarily step back from the stressors and regain perspective.

Without a funny bone, organizations will experience increased levels of stress and lower levels of psychological safety and engagement.

Reba McEntire’s quote serves as a timeless reminder that leadership is a multifaceted journey.  By cultivating a wish bone for vision, a back bone for strength, and a funny bone for humor, leaders can create a holistic approach propelling their teams toward success, while fostering a workplace culture that is resilient, inclusive, and enjoyable.

Joni S. Naugle is the founder and president of Naugle Associates LLC, Reading, where she works with clients on leadership, strategy and organizational effectiveness. She leads executive peer groups through an alliance with Vistage Worldwide.