What is Leadership Anyway? Musings on a Definition
Posted on Thu, Jul 15, 2010 @ 12:00 PM
Stay tuned for more blog postings from Mary Kier.
It is a timeless — and timely — question: What is leadership? Underpinning this philosophical exercise are events that make the debate timelier than ever. From the BP oil spill — now in day 87 of disaster — to the iPhone 4 antenna glitch, people worldwide are confused, frightened and upset. Many feel disillusioned with institutions they trusted to safeguard their livelihood. This is why my next few blog postings will focus on exploring specific leadership topics such as the definition of leadership, the importance of making the right hire, and the use of feedback in the leadership tool kit.
Current events beg exploration of the nature and definition of leadership. I think a great leader is one who gets people to see opportunities together – to define success together – and to find the dream they can dream together. A great leader opens peoples’ eyes to bigger possibilities. When they understand what success is, and what role they can play to drive to that success, they will make better decisions and will focus with enthusiasm on achieving success.
Jack Welch – the penultimate leadership guru - has identified from five essential traits great leaders exhibit. These are paraphrased here from his Web site The Welch Way:
(1) Positive Energy – have the capacity to go-go-go with an upbeat attitude through good times and bad;
(2) Energize Others – the ability to release or inspire positive energy in others;
(3) Edge – the ability to make tough calls, to say yes or no, not maybe;
(4) Execution – very simply, the art of getting things done;
(5) Passion – leaders care deeply, they sweat, they believe.
Please join me in the weeks that follow as we do a deep dive into leadership theory.
Suggested Reading:
Jack Welch and the 4 E's of Leadership: How to Put GE's Leadership Formula to Work in Your Organization
The Leader of the Future: New Visions, Strategies and Practices for the Next Era