Having worked in the field of leadership consultation and leadership development for over 25 years, we've made some observations and had experiences that have shaped our beliefs. The comments below represent our beliefs about leadership and leadership development and anchor our work:
- Leadership exists and makes a difference. Organizations with effective leaders perform better than those with weak leaders.
- While there is a great deal of discussion and frequently little agreement about the ingredients of effective leaders, most leaders have the following characteristics: they make decisions (which are more frequently right than wrong); solve problems; communicate; inspire, resolve differences; work well with a range of people; communicate direction and vision; build relationships; and earn trust and respect through their actions. The leadership competency lists compiled by many organizations overlap about 80% because all organizations and groups have similar expectations for their leaders.
- If you doubt the concept of leadership, ask yourself why grown men will follow others into battle where they face probable annihilation and death. Behaving in this manner is a product of something far beyond military training and discipline. The principle and concept of leadership has existed since the beginning of time. People are social animals and during times of crisis and uncertainty, they look for someone to take charge and organize so they can follow and survive. Leadership may be hard to quantify or measure, but it’s real and exists.
- Everyone can be a leader depending on situational demands. It is not a trait, characteristic, personality profile, charisma, or DNA. Having leadership capability is frequently reflected in individuals who have courage, character, integrity, a drive and energy to make things happen, a conviction in their beliefs, and a willingness to communicate their beliefs and vision. They rally others to follow them.
- Leadership is not bi-modal or black and white. No one is either a leader or not a leader. All of us have different degrees of this capability and can improve our leadership.
- Being a leader is hard work. It requires the willingness to make decisions, take a chance, putting yourself and your ideas out front and thereby risk having others ignore, criticize, or challenge you. As Harry Truman said, “If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.”
- Because you are in a senior job at the top of an organization or corporation does not make you a leader. Individuals at this level may operate as managers, administrators, or figure heads. They may have earned their position/status and power through technical competence, the support of internal sponsors, being in the right place at the right time, making an outstanding contribution/achievement and being rewarded, or any combination of the above. Having those attributes may qualify you for the top job in an organization, but it doesn’t necessarily make you a leader.
- Most of us can judge a leader’s effectiveness and integrity with relatively little information. Word travels fast. We have survival instincts honed over thousands of years. When we’re wrong and choose the wrong leaders, we and the organization fail.
- Leadership is about relationships. Whether the relationship is real and exists (I know you and trust you) or symbolic (I don’t know you, but I’ve heard about what you’ve done from others I trust), a person with these relationships has the capacity to lead.
- Leaders are both born and made. Some individuals inherently have traditional leadership characteristics, e.g., courage, communication skills, social dominance, persuasiveness, strong problem solving skills, interpersonal skills, etc., yet we all have these characteristics to some degree and they can be enhanced through training, coaching, and development.
- The best way to learn about leadership and improve it is on the job. Experience is the best teacher. While coaching, classes, and books can enhance or refine our abilities, we learn best through hands-on experience and trial and error.
- Leaders must WANT to lead. This is why presidential contenders endure months, if not years, of exhausting campaigning and subject themselves and their families to incredible pressures and scrutiny. They want the job and believe they have the capability, conviction, and courage to make a positive difference. While these attributes don’t guarantee leadership, they are a good place to start.
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