What is Most Important for New Leaders?
“Don’t talk about religion or politics” is a good mantra to avoid conflict. While that phrase is especially true in this election year, I think there is another subject that has a multitude of opinions but is usually much less confrontational in nature. What is most important for new leaders? To stoke the debate fires, here are some qualifications to consider, then a proposed list of what is most important.
The source
How does one define what is most important for new leaders? Many believe expertise and answers lie in books. To start the debate for what is most important, one might ask who is the best leadership author. This question will produce a myriad of answers. Is it Ken Blanchard? Brené Brown? Patrick Lencioni? Oprah? Must the author be recent or can the Stoics be considered leadership authors?
What constitutes a leadership book? Is a biography of Harriet Tubman or The Art of War more instructive? What book is the most influential leadership book? As soon as a particular book is mentioned, there are likely at least three that could have been included instead.
Does leadership information come from TEDTalks? Among the 25 most watched talks are Simon Sinek, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and David Blaine. Which talk of the top 25 is most helpful for new leaders? What about podcasts: Among the top 25 list according to Spotify are Mel Robbins and Steven Bartlett scattered throughout a list of subjects including true crime and politics.
Jim Collins’ 7 questions
Jim Collins was part of the faculty at West Point and came away from the experience inspired. He created 7 questions that are aimed at those under 35. These questions are a summary of thoughts that resulted from his experience with the Cadets. The questions range from “What cause do you serve with Level 5 leadership?” to “How will you change the lives of others.”
How many?
The Good to Great author had seven questions. How many items make your list of what is most important for new leaders? Would you create a Top Ten list like David Letterman? If you picked 7 items, what is item number 8? How did you determine what makes the list and what is omitted?
Skills, behaviors, knowledge?
Do new leaders need more skills, behavior, or knowledge? Is it a combination of all three? Do new leaders need to model behaviors or ask themselves questions that lead to a personal vision? What types of competencies should a new leader have?
What is most important for new leaders?
Be Yourself. Being yourself includes knowing one’s core values, purpose, and competency while acting authentically. Competency implies you have the required technical skills needed to perform your role and lead others. Your core values serve as a filter and guide for behaviors and ideas. Your purpose is a sense of what gifts you will give to the world. Core values and purpose provide a moral compass for decision making. Behaving in alignment with your values and purpose creates an authentic version of yourself.
Serve Others. According to Robert K. Greenleaf, “The servant-leader is servant first, it begins with a natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first, as opposed to, wanting power, influence, fame, or wealth.” Many assume leadership is about power, influence, fame, or wealth. The pursuit of these as the goal may prevent one from achieving these fleeting concepts. Serving others ensures the leader develops relational skills and is an effective communicator. Serving first also leads to being aligned with the purpose and vision of the organization. By serving first instead of seeking power and control, the servant-leader builds trust, resulting in increased engagement and productivity, and also reducing employee turnover.
Can you narrow your list of what is most important for new leaders to two points? Please take the time to share in the comments what you think is most important for new leaders.
#Leadership #CoreValues #Purpose #ProfessionalDevelopment #ServantLeadership #Vision #Skills #Trust #Competency #Behavior
