Isaac Newton’s Three Laws of Leadership

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Isaac Newton's three laws of leadership

Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727), mathematician and physicist, was the greatest scientific intellects of his time.
When Newton was only 23 he changed the world with his insights into:

Mathematics
Mechanics
Astronomy
Gravity
Optics

He searched for -and found -the universal principles that explained why things act the way they do.

Some of his most famous work was NEWTONS three laws of motion.
They describe the movement of bodies.
So they can be instructive to us all.

Lets us take a look...

NEWTON's First law

A body that is at rest, will remain at rest, unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

This means that people tend to keep doing what they are doing - unless and until they are acted upon by a new force.

In physics the "force" is an outside push or pull.
In business, this force is provided by the force of character of the leader.


NEWTON's First law restated

Means that: Anybody that is at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by a good manager.

NEWTON's First law restated


Means that: Any bad situation will remain bad unless acted upon by a good leader.

NEWTON's First law restated

Means that: Things need to be pushed along if they are to change.



Some people do not have enough motivation to move themselves. They need to be pulled along by the will power of the team Leader.

That leader provides the motive force that is necessary to overcome the inertia of the many.

That is the job of the leader.

Who motivates the motivator?

Nobody. They motivate themselves. They are a primary source.

Important!

Newton's First law

Things need to be pushed along if they are to change.

NEWTON's Second law

Force = mass x acceleration.

The amount of energy needed to be successful is proportional to:
The size of the goal x how quickly you want to get it.

If you want to achieve big goals quickly:
Then you must apply mega watts of energy and will power.

If you want big goals but are willing to take your time:
Then lower levels of energy persistently applied for decades will suffice.

Notice that in both cases you must exert your force of will .
Important!

Newton's Second law

The amount of mental energy needed = The size of the goal x how quickly you want to get it.

NEWTON's Third law

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Everyone has heard of the Newton's third law, usually stated as:

"For every action, there is always a re-action".
This law can be reinterpreted in three ways

NEWTON's Third law restated
If you want a certain effect, you must initiate the correct actions.
Don't expect to get rich without effort.
If you want to be a champion, you must pay the price.

NEWTON's Third law restated
If you do NOT want a certain reaction, don't repeat the cause.
If you don't like the result, stop initiating the causes.
If you don't want the arguments, stop being argumentative.

NEWTON's First law restated
Don't initiate an action and then complain when the reaction arrives.
Don't complain about debts after you have spent all your savings and more on cakes.
Don't blame others for your situation because your current circumstances are reactions to your own decisions.

Important!

Newton's Third law

If you want to be a champion, you must pay the price

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  • Reply
    Ukechi Smith Akor Sep 2, 2011 @ 10:52 am | delete
    Great indeed
  • Reply
    kimsmith79 Nov 17, 2010 @ 7:28 am | delete
    Thank you for the great research. Your points are well stated. I'd like to learn more on this. I just took a class in transforming learning at The Hay Group and loved it. I look forward to reading more on this.
  • Reply
    travelsarah Oct 2, 2009 @ 7:40 pm | delete
    After reading your excellent lens about Walt disney which I actually found by accident i just had to come and read this one about Isaac Newton leadership laws and just like the other one it did not disappoint, many thanks.
  • Reply
    Randal-d Oct 2, 2009 @ 10:58 am | delete
    Awesome insight into Newtons laws of gravity. I was really impressed in how you meshed these laws into business/leadership variables for success. Big Kudos to Chris for this great post.
  • Reply
    CatTrainer Oct 2, 2009 @ 10:36 am | delete
    Great Information and even better yet, motivation. Your lens on Newton Laws reminded of a few things that I'd been forgetting. It is so important to be reminded that we have to do something (take action) before we can expect anything in return. Reminds me of the old story of the fireplace reminding the guy with a cold house that he needs to put some wood in the fireplace before he can expect any heat. Thanks again for the great info.
  • Reply
    meganinlife Oct 2, 2009 @ 12:10 am | delete
    Great analogy of Newton's laws for todays times. They are really helpful. Thanks a lot.
  • Reply
    ggsparks Oct 1, 2009 @ 6:39 pm | delete
    I can remember really learning about Newton's laws in an in depth way in my introductory physics class years ago. I have always believed that Newton's laws apply not only to the physical sciences but also social science. I have used some of Newton's laws to explain my own life to people at times and I love how you used it to give a unique perspective on leadership. Great lens!
  • Reply
    SisterD Sep 30, 2009 @ 9:56 pm | delete
    It's interesting that Isaac Newton leadership laws apply to physics as well as human behavior. It's especially interesting to note that an object at rest tends to stay at rest unless acted upon by an unbalanced force, yet a leader or manager or business owner initiates this force themselves.
  • Reply
    SeanMcG Sep 30, 2009 @ 7:38 pm | delete
    I don't think there will ever be a time that I will ceased to be amazed and wonder, every time I see Newton's Second Law, what would like be like now if this man would never have walked this earth? But this, and your presentation of Newton's law just adds an entirely new dimension to it. Outstanding presentation on leadership.
  • Reply
    richardsonlynda Sep 30, 2009 @ 4:07 pm | delete
    Isaac Newton was an extraordinary man with brilliant mind his all laws works till date and will also work in future... thanks for reminding Great Man Isaac Newton
  • Reply
    Fibrorelieftips Sep 30, 2009 @ 10:25 am | delete
    Never been much of a physicist type but you got me hooked when I started reading. There appears to be more to Newton than just solving problems. He had great foresight and you have really done a good job in teaching us a little more about the man.
  • Reply
    halloweencostumesforyou Sep 30, 2009 @ 4:16 am | delete
    Isaac Newton was one of the greatest physicist of all times... You have a great way to present Newton laws on your lens. Keep it like that!
  • Reply
    costumeGirls Sep 30, 2009 @ 1:25 am | delete
    As a physics major in college, I only wish I had access to this lens in my classroom. Of course back then the pager was still too hot to handle. Nice pics of the gurus.
  • Reply
    h-miracle Sep 29, 2009 @ 9:52 pm | delete
    Sir Isaac Newton was a brilliant man with an extraordinary mind. I love Newtons first law...so true!
  • Reply
    LauraChilds Sep 29, 2009 @ 3:58 am | delete
    Wow! This is a very inspirational post and it helped me to understand some of the people in my life who call themselves "essentially lazy". Really, they just need to understand these principles and have a good leader at the helm. I'm going to check out the site you mention below for more insight into this matter. Perhaps I can learn to help others through this inspirational info!
  • Reply
    babygifts Sep 28, 2009 @ 5:53 pm | delete
    Love your lenses on business practices and while I prefer the Disney one this one is pretty cool too. Takes a special kind of business mind to take Newton and his laws and apply them to business!
  • Reply
    onlinecollegepro Sep 28, 2009 @ 5:46 pm | delete
    A very interesting intepretation of Newton's laws applied on human behaviour in a social context. It shows that the physical and mental domains within us and between us are more integrated than we allow ourself to believe.
  • Reply
    ryanheye Sep 28, 2009 @ 12:58 pm | delete
    A great way to apply Newton's laws with today's management needs. Its pretty insightful and applicable to daily life, especially the 1st law "Things need to be pushed along if they are to change". so true... :)
  • Reply
    buiecandy Sep 28, 2009 @ 11:43 am | delete
    This is a great lens about Newtons Laws and very applicable to the motivation side of life. You must have spent a little mental energy putting this great lens together.. thanks
  • Reply
    mmkellis Sep 28, 2009 @ 11:25 am | delete
    Chris, what a great lens! I homeschool and we are studying Isaac Newton this fall. The information here has given me some great ideas on expanding the curriculum. Thanks!
  • Reply
    homebusinessonline101 Sep 28, 2009 @ 10:44 am | delete
    A great and orignial way to apply Newton's laws on todays management and motivational issues. I'm sure we could start building a new psychological tradition with Newton as the basis. Thanks for a good lens!
  • Reply
    BlueSkyBright Sep 28, 2009 @ 9:23 am | delete
    Newtons 2nd law is great. I always loved how they discovered gravity and you can thank Mr Newton for this.
  • Reply
    profaned08373 Sep 25, 2009 @ 11:32 am | delete
    Fantastic comparison and interpretation of Isaac Newton's laws and leadership. Entrepreneurs and managers should read this.
  • Reply
    pepys Sep 25, 2009 @ 11:25 am | delete
    I love it. After being in business for many years, and recognizing the needs of a leader I have found your Newton Business Laws very good to teach people. For the Newton's 3rd Law restated I would that famous Einstein quote, which goes something like: Only a madman expects a different result for exactly the same in put (or something to that effect.
  • Reply
    alumnigifts Sep 25, 2009 @ 11:15 am | delete
    Very cool perspective on leadership. I have not heard of Newton's leadership laws before this
  • Reply
    Dog-Trainer Sep 24, 2009 @ 8:29 pm | delete
    I've used this concept a lot myself to teach the need for "action" in our lives. Great lens!
  • Reply
    Yahoo-Web-Hosting Sep 24, 2009 @ 1:34 pm | delete
    Isaac Newton is the man. He has done a world of good for discovering gravity and being a top notch mathematician...
  • Reply
    candyw Sep 23, 2009 @ 10:01 pm | delete
    Great lens on Isaac Newton. did not know that much about him before reading it .. thanks
  • Reply
    stonerichard88 Sep 22, 2009 @ 4:40 am | delete
    Great interpretation of the Newton's laws. You have remade them for the nowadays. Thanks for the article.
  • Reply
    bob_g Sep 21, 2009 @ 6:58 pm | delete
    This is the first that I have heard of newtons laws and have to say they make perfect sense whether you look at it from a scientific stand point or from the position of where you are in your life. Nice one enjoyed reading
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