The Silver Bullet of Leadership:
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By Edward D. Hess,
Distinguished Executive in Residence and
Adjunct Professor of Management, Goizueta Graduate School of Business
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
edward_hess@bus.emory.edu
Many of you over the past two years have written me to share your
views and questions on leadership. I am most thankful. Since this
is my last monthly column for Catalyst, I want to end 2004 with
what really is the essence of leadership. The Silver Bullet.
Leadership is part science and part art. Leadership is subjective,
emotional and yes, hard work. There are over 200 definitions of
leadership and various models of leadership: traits or personality;
situational or context; Level V; transformational; authentic;
and servant leadership.
Leadership is the convergence of heart, soul, intellect, and
action. Leadership is the result of what you believe, value, and
do. Authentic leadership happens when there is harmony among what
you value, what you think, and what you do. Those actions must
be for good and moral objectives.
We know that size, looks, gender, nationality, pedigree, ethnicity,
and charisma do not either qualify or disqualify one from being
a leader.
Leadership skills (listening, writing, speaking, empathizing,
and self-discipline can be learned). But what really matters is
what is in your heart:
- YOUR CHARACTER
- YOUR VALUES
- YOUR ATTITUDE
And how you express them, through your actions, count!
Learning to be a Good Leader is a life-long pursuit. You will
get better as you:
1) Experience life;
2) Lead and learn;
3) Become emotionally more aware and secure;
4) Learn not to focus on "me"; and
5) Truly adopt a servant leadership approach.
What precludes you from being a good leader?
- Laziness
- Arrogance
- Lack of self-discipline
- The wrong focus, attitude, motivations, or value
Good leadership is a constant, ongoing battle - inside a leader
- between:
| Selfishness ("me") |
vs.
|
Altruism |
| Self-absorption |
vs.
|
Emotional Maturity |
| Insensitivity |
vs.
|
Sensitivity |
| Laziness |
vs.
|
Disciplined work |
| Insecurity |
vs.
|
Confidence |
| Arrogance |
vs.
|
Humility |
| Charisma |
vs.
|
Authenticity |
| My Way |
vs.
|
Accepting Other Ways |
| Group Think |
vs.
|
Intellectual Honesty and Debate |
Unfortunately, most people want to be leaders because of what
leadership brings to them:
- More pay
- More power
- More prestige and status
- More opportunity
Unfortunately, great leadership is not about what you get - it
is about what you GIVE! Leadership is not about what you take
- it is about what you give.
LEADERSHIP IS NOT ABOUT YOU!
LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT THEM!
LEADERSHIP IS NOT ABOUT WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU!
LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT HOW YOU CAN HELP THEM!
You see - the Silver Bullet of Leadership is YOU!
And only you can approach leadership with the right mindset,
right attitude, the right motivations, and yes, the right values.
I submit that you can be a good manager while focused on yourself;
but you cannot be a good leader.
Leaders serve! Good luck on your leadership journey. And thank
you for reading my commentaries over the past two years.
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Copyright © 2004
