Lessons About Leadership
Quote of the Week
“There is nothing noble in being superior to some other man.
The true nobility is in being superior to your previous self.”
– Hindu Proverb
Lessons About Leadership
by Robert J. Thomas
Leaders need to remember the importance of interdependence – that life is not just about the business; an organization is a community of human beings.
- Leaders need to care about interpersonal relationships and be willing to be cared about.
- A leader doesn’t have to be superhuman or have all the answers, no matter how much people may wish it to be so.
- Failing is only a step on the path to success.
- Trouble doesn’t last forever.
- Know what you stand for as a leader before crisis hits; when things are crashing down around you and people are looking for your leadership, it’s too late to figure things out.
- Integrity is the only thing you have that is truly yours (Thomas, 2008, p30).
From: Thomas, R. J. (2008). Crucibles of leadership: how to learn from experience to become a great leader. Boston: Harvard Business Press.
Reprinted with permission from the OSU Leadership Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, (614) 292-3114, http://leadershipcenter.osu.edu.
Coaching Call to Action
This is just the beginning. What lessons have you learned about leadership that you would add to this list? Tell me about it in an email and we will share it in a future Tip. Simply email andrea@coachandrea.com.
At a Leadership Conference last week we focused on the book, The Speed of Trust, by Stephen M.R. Covey (Stephen Covey’s son). The book identifies 13 trust-enhancing behaviors and describes in practical terms how to develop, maintain, and restore trust. It is written mainly in the context of business leadership, but could be applied to family and community as well. I highly recommend it.
Warmly,
Dianne