The Leadership Caffeine™ series is intended to make you think and act.
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Alchemy, according to Malouin in the Encyclopedia of Diderot, is the chemistry of the subtlest kind which allows one to observe extraordinary chemical operations at a more rapid pace-ones that require a long time for nature to produce.
Newsflash, there are no shortcuts to great leadership. Much like the failure to change nature’s principles in search of longevity or turning lead into gold, one’s ability lead develops slowly over time and with much strain.
10 Lessons Learned in Search of Success as a Leader:
1. You’re always an apprentice. If you think you’ve mastered this, you’re failing. Approach each day eager to learn another lesson, and you will. Approach each day assuming you’ve got this role licked, and you’ll get clobbered when you least expect it.
2. Great leaders require great missions. It’s the humdrum of the mundane of the status quo that squashes the spirits of leaders and the people around them. If you’re not on a mission, create one. If you’re leading others, know that your job is to define the mission. Not the mission statement…the mission.
3. The only job harder than leading is likely being a mother. Scratch that…mothers are the original leaders.
4. What you did yesterday doesn’t count. What you’ll do tomorrow doesn’t count. Lead today…it’s the only day that counts.
5. You’re supposed to be uncomfortable. That’s the job. Get over it. Get used to it. Revel in it. Or, get another job.
6. No one does anything for you…they do it for themselves.
7. Sometimes you have to push the ones with the greatest potential out of the nest. Your instinct says to do everything possible to retain them. The right thing to do is to help them find the best opportunities to grow. Even if that means shoving them on their way.
8. Enjoy the burn. It’s the tough days and tough issues, especially your failures that mold you into a better leader.
9. Hire people who’ve struggled and persevered. I’ll take the person who held down three jobs to pay for college while caring for the sick relative any day of the week.
10. Pedigree is interesting, but character counts. When hiring, hire for character first and the rest will follow.
The Bottom-Line for Now:
There are no shortcuts when it comes to learning to lead effectively. Get on with it, you’ve got some mistakes to make…just make them faster to succeed sooner.
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An ideal book for anyone starting out in leadership: Practical Lessons in Leadership by Art Petty and Rich Petro.
Great post Art. Important reminders. I find a lot of leaders don’t get this one: “No one does anything for you…they do it for themselves.” Really points you to a different leadership approach when you recognize where team motivation originates. Thank you!
Scott, thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate your very supportive RTs as well! Well said! Great add to the topic. -Art
Great pearls! But can we replace “mother” with “parent”? Contrary to popular stereotypes, fathers play an important role in our society too. Highly recommend reading Armin Brott’s “Not All Men Are Sly Foxes.”
Sure!
[…] Petty of The Management Excellence Blog contributed Leadership Caffeine: The Alchemy of Great Leadership. Art begins with: “newsflash: there are no shortcuts to great leadership.” He shares […]