Learning Leadership

Here is my key take-aways from James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner’s book: Learning Leadership.

“Leadership is not a gene. It is not a trait. There is just no hard evidence to suggest that leadership is imprinted in the DNA of some people and not others.”

 “To get better at leading, you have to get gritty. You have to persist in the face of difficulties, thinking more like a marathoner than a sprinter.”

People achieve leadership greatness by wanting it badly enough and by digging into “deliberate practice,” constant learning and sheer determination. The misguided notion thatyou don’t have the “talent” or personality to lead gets in the way of actually becoming a better leader.

“Courage gives you the energy to move forward. Courage gives you the confidence to believe you can make it. Courage gives you the strength to sustain yourself in the darkest hours.”

“The Five Fundamentals of Exemplary Leadership”

“Believe You Can”
"Aspire to Excel”
“Challenge Yourself”
“Engage Support”
“Practice Deliberately”

Commit to constant learning and make learning a “way of life.” Before anything and everything else, develop learning skills. Learning means leaving your comfort zone, so take on challenging, “stretch assignments.” Forget about playing to your strengths: Work on your weaknesses, too.

At first, imitate great leaders whom you admire; practice their ways and learn from them. When you start to feel uncomfortable mimicking others, move to the next stage, experimenting with different managerial styles that align with your leadership beliefs and values.

Gradually, you’ll develop an “authentic” leadership style of your own. It will retain the best elements of others’ methods, but it will come from your unique individuality – your background, experiences, values and beliefs.

Define your values and principled beliefs so you can communicate them clearly. People trust and will follow leaders whose beliefs they understand. The strongest and most enduring principles and motivations have nothing to do with money and prestige. They come from your “intrinsic” desire to change things for the better and to help others.

“Success comes by taking regular small steps forward, and disappointment is more likely to occur when you attempt giant leaps.”

Process and consider what goes on around you. Listen to everyone, but don’t heed just what people talk about; be aware of what they’re silent about. Notice what isn’t said.

You cannot excel by staying the same. Seek new and uncomfortable challenges. Taking on a challenge helps you achieve “flow,” a state in which you perform at your peak and find the greatest satisfaction. Don’t avoid risk or live tentatively. Be willing to commit errors, fail and learn. When you fail at first, stick with your goal. “Grit” always beats “talent.” Know your priorities and go after them. Think long term.

Practice and improve every day. Only you can make and sustain positive change in your life.

Create time for practice by making your work itself into leadership practice.

Don’t fall for the popular notion that you should focus only on your strengths. As a leader, you can’t delegate your weaknesses, so work on them as well.

 

Exemplary leadership doesn’t come from your genetic makeup or any aspect of your background. It only comes from hard work, constant learning and commitment. Act, practice and learn. Take small, meaningful steps. Make progress every day toward your goal of becoming an exemplary leader.