Leading With Thought

In one of my earliest podcast episodes, I interviewed Connor Pearce – now President of Samsung Electronics in Poland – who shared a powerful piece of leadership advice he received early in his career:

“Think like a man of action. Act like a man of thought.”

In today’s Leader’s Kitbag, I unpack that quote and explore how to apply it in your day-to-day leadership, whether you’re naturally more of a doer or a thinker.

You’ll learn:

• How to balance thoughtful decision-making with courageous action
• The difference between reactive and considered responses
• Why quiet conviction is one of the most underrated leadership strengths

It’s not necessarily about speaking more or acting faster, it’s about choosing clarity, timing and purpose over noise and speed.

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Podcast Transcript: 

One of the very first podcast episodes I ever recorded was with the now-President of Samsung Electronics in Poland, Connor Pearce. https://www.ben-morton.com/podcast/episode-004-conor-pierce-corporate-vp-uk-and-ireland-samsung-electronics/  

In that episode, Connor shared one of the very first pieces of advice he received early on in his career: 

“Think like a man of action. Act like a man of thought.” 

In today’s episode of The Leader’s Kitbag, I want to briefly unpack that advice and offer a few practical ways you can apply it to strengthen your leadership impact. 

Here’s why I believe that quote is so powerful. 

Some leaders are natural doers. Others are thinkers. 

The very best leaders, unsurprisingly, blend both. 

They act with courage and conviction, but from a place of thoughtfulness, thoroughness and intention. 

So, here are three simple ideas you can try over the next few days to help you strike that balance in your leadership. 

1. Find your balance.

If you’re an internal thinker, you may need to push yourself to act or speak a little sooner. 

If you’re more of an external thinker or action-oriented leader, challenge yourself to pause and reflect before diving in. 

2. Don’t confuse reactions with responses.

Reactions are immediate, often automatic and unconscious. 

Responses, by contrast, are more deliberate. They’re slower (but not necessarily slow), and they tend to be more considered and thoughtful. 

Great leaders earn trust not through speed, but through clarity and the outcomes they help deliver. 

3. Anchor your decisions in quiet conviction.

Some of the best leaders I’ve worked with make bold, decisive calls, but always from a place of deep reflection. 

One of the most powerful questions they ask themselves before acting is: 

“When does this decision need to be made?” 

They use the time available without creating unnecessary pressure or delay for others. 

So, there you have it. 

Three ways you can start applying that deceptively simple but powerful piece of advice. 

And perhaps the question to reflect on is not “Am I saying enough?” but rather,  

“Am I thinking enough before I act, and am I acting on what I think?” 

Need More Support? 

If you need support with training, coaching, or a speaker for your next conference, drop me an email at chat@ben-morton.com.