What Do You Believe About Leadership?
November 27th, 2009 | 
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Over the years, I`ve managed to come up with my own beliefs about leadership. They are constantly changing and in flux as I work with clients and observe leaders who are present in other aspects of my life. This post is my way of making my own current beliefs explicit, and possibly starting a conversation with you about your own beliefs.
Leadership is not a position on an organization chart, although it can be. It is “a way of being”, which means that leaders can be found anywhere in our organizations and communities. Most of us lead and most of us follow at different times ?€“ and the flow between leadership and followership is a dance that is seamless at its best.
Deciding to lead should be, when possible, a conscious choice. There are leaders who are “naturals” at it, and have not been conscious of their choice to lead. For the majority, however, leading is an intentional act that requires constant reflection, action, learning, and adjustment to be the best.
Healthy relationships built on mutual respect are the foundation for great leadership. When respect is present, strong relationships can be built. This process builds followership, a necessary ingredient for taking action to achieve goals.
Leaders who focus on the needs of others, assisting them to develop and grow, will reap more benefits than they can possibly imagine. Strong followers who are appreciative of the efforts to provide opportunities to get better at what they do are a great outcome of this learning.
Leadership is contnually learned as new opportunities and situations present themselves. If this weren’t true, there is no hope.
Great leadership is a journey. It is personal and begins within the individual and radiates outward to others. It is not easy, but it can be extremely gratifying.
Great leaders can be a catalyst for possibility when all doors appear closed. They know that even in the toughest situations, there is always a solution. But they also know that they may not have the best solution, so they are willing to invite participation from others to find the answers.
Great leaders bring clarity of purpose to their organizations and communities. They know that their followers are struggling to find meaning in the work they do; the best leaders are able to catalyze the discovery of that meaning.
Great leaders are human. Even the best make mistakes but they apologize, accept forgiveness, learn from their errors, and move on. We need more leaders who are in touch with their humanity in this way.
Leadership is a privilege and a responsibility. It is the wise leader who understands the impact they have in the smallest of actions. Great leaders treat this impact with great reverence.
What do you agree or disagree with in this list? What woul you add about your beliefs?
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18 Responses to “What Do You Believe About Leadership?”
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This is why I love your site and the thoughts you share here, Mary Jo. Right on. Keep up the great work. Bret
Fantastic summary of leadership esssence.
Core of leadership is change – leaders constantly challenge the status quo and seek change. They make a difference.
My essential belief is:
Leadership = Change, Difference, Growth and Results.
“Leadership is not just a title in an organization chart – it is a way of life” – I loved that.
Thanks for putting it all togather so succintly!
Tanmay
Thanks for the comprehensive post.
One of my thoughts relates to my military background…we often merge leadership and command. Command however relates to the person assigned or placed in the position of authority. Occasionally they will be a leader, but leadership is not theirs by position. Leadership often comes down to faith and belief. We choose our leaders because we have faith in their ability and we believe in the destination they are describing. Leaders we follow with passion!
Bret – Thanks for the encouragement!
Tanmay – I like your “model” for leadership. Just one question, though – where do relationships fit into it?
Paul – I love the concept of faith and belief. It seems to me that this applies to followers who have faith and belief in the leader, correct? What does the leader do to instill faith and belief?
I love this list. And doesn’t it seem that forgetting even one component compromises the person’s ability to truly make a difference? Great work!
Mary Jo, I am aligned with your leadership distinctions. It’s important to distinguish and tease apart the behaviors and focus as you have. Sometimes we see the leadership mantle assigned based on charisma and personality rather than the solid qualities you’ve outlined. Thanks for your thoughtful approach.
Lisa – I never thought of it that way. The really great leaders will want to make a difference, and will work hard to include all components in their style.
Peg – I appreciate your encouragement. Thanks!
Really great list. In particular I love this statement: “Most of us lead and most of us follow at different times ?€“ and the flow between leadership and followership is a dance that is seamless at its best.” A “name” for this “dance” came to mind when I read that – I think it is the dance of contribution and appreciation.
I would add one belief that has become foundational for my work in instigating grass roots leadership to emerge – you don’t have to be THE leader to be A leader in any given moment.
Thank you for great thoughts and comments. I agree that leadership is not some position on an organizational chart. It is a like a dance of sorts as mentioned by Susan Mazza.
I have personally found its about finding one’s balance, one who authentically exudes an inner peace while being able to be clear about the direction.
Well said Susan……contribution and appreciation
tai
I agree with Bret, Mary Jo. This is a wonderful post that exemplifies both your approach to leadership, as well as your ability to inspire others to realign how we approach the role of taking up the charge.
After putting my garden to bed over the weekend, I view the role of leaders as being much like that of gardeners – our job is simply to nurture, aid and provide the resources for those under our care to bloom.
Susan, your insightful addition is perfect. Thanks.
Tai, ditto. Thanks for your comments and additions.
Tanveer, your comment brings to mind “servant leadership”, which is truly what I believe about the best in leadership. Thanks for the analogy to gardening!
In my experience, I’ve found that helping others to grow within the company is great leadership. People often forget that not everyone is presented the opportunity to learn from the great leaders of their company. When people are trained well; they will provide more to the company and its external parties. Hopefully, they will return the favor and deliver the same excellent service to future employees.
Thanks a million, this is a powerful post with excellent comments. The phrase ?€?Managers do things right and Leaders do the right thing` for me epitomises what leadership is all about. Leadership is about making difficult decisions for the ?€?greater good` ?€“ decisions that often take us far out of our comfort zone and push us to smash mental barriers. As a member of http://www.vistage.co.uk dedicated to helping leaders make better decisions ?€“ which lead to better results, I am constantly learning. And, yes, it is gratifying when your team acknowledges your commitment to be flexible and help their personal and business development ?€“ as acknowledged in one of our blog posts which made my day http://tinyurl.com/yhwbzwd
Ashley, thanks for the reminder of the benefits that can be reaped when a leader helps others in the organization grow.
Sharon, congratulations. It looks like you are a true believer in helping others to develop! Thanks for stopping over and adding your great insight and the links.
Superb Mary Jo! Your point about choice is essential for me… being a ‘leader’ makes no-one a leader. To make an act of will, to ethically choose and act in line with that calling… ah! Privilege, response-ability and leadership in its finest manifestation.
Thank you!
Superb Mary Jo! Your point about choice is essential for me… being a ‘leader’ makes no-one a leader. To make an act of will, to ethically choose and act in line with that calling… ah! Privilege, response-ability and leadership in its finest manifestation.
Thank you!
Superb Mary Jo! Your point about choice is essential for me… being a ‘leader’ makes no-one a leader. To make an act of will, to ethically choose and act in line with that calling… ah! Privilege, response-ability and leadership in its finest manifestation.
Thank you!
You will see how much we agree in the next two of my books to be released in 2010: Leadership Virtuosity and The Good Leader. Thanks!