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Insight Added (#47)

Think, Feel and Act Like a Leader

Hi <<First Name>>
Here are your latest articles, links, hints and tips on being a better leader.

Think Like a Leader

How many leaders do you know that could be described as deep thinkers?  Pressures on the leader’s attention has never been greater, and often the sheer volume of responsibilities push the modern business leader more and more towards skimming over topics and superficiality in study. Can it be any other way? Some believe it can be and should be so read on and think more about depth in your life and work.

Feel Like a Leader

Feeling like a shallow leader has probably been, at times, the experience of many leaders.  In the push to be seen in charge and in control, understanding all that is going on round about them, depth of understanding may well be faked. Or at least attempted! It is these feelings that erode confidence in our own abilities.

Act Like a Leader

Leader’s don’t need a deep understanding about everything in their field of responsibility – but it sure helps to have deep understanding in some areas!  Some of the greatest business leaders of our time, for example, Bill Gates, set aside specific and inviolate time for in-depth study and reflection.  Do people see in your actions the work of a deep thinker?
Jon Rennie has a new podcast series on ‘Deep Leadership’.  In this episode he speaks about driving a nuclear submarine – so they know how to go deep.  From his own experience as ‘Officer on the deck’ he describes it in detail focusing on ‘authority v responsibility.'
Leaders Listen!
Michael D. Comer, is President of the Hayes Group International.  In this article he writes about ‘A Crisis in Leadership (the lack of depth).'

“When a leader has “depth” she or he portrays a comprehension beyond a surface knowledge or shallow relationship. There is a desire for wanting to know more about the issue or a yearning to know more about the person. They think about the issues. They are concerned for the person. They portray wisdom versus a spouting of facts. This “depth” is not just where the leader spends her time, it is deeper and more instinctual – it is who they are at their core.  I have spent over 30 years in working with and observing leaders’ organizations worldwide. I teach that leadership is a large topic with multiple dimensions. However, as I grow older and get more experience, I am convinced that people follow leaders for their “depth” – depth of character, depth of competence and depth of connection.   I pause when I say this, but “leadership” may be that simple – depth!

Many people believe character, competence and connection are things on a “to do” list and immediately say “I don’t have time to hear from everyone on the team", “I don’t have time to read everything that comes across my computer screen” or “dig into every issue."

Depth is more about being – than doing. Depth is radiating that you want to know, that you want to help, and you will do the right thing every time. It is establishing a mindset and philosophy and living by that mindset. It is who you are versus a perception of who you are.

Leaders with depth can ask the deep questions. They are comfortable without knowing all things – and trust those around them who do know. They have a security and confidence without having to constantly say how good or smart they are. People trust them – they know their character, trust their competence and have made a real connection.”

Comer expands on depth of character, depth of competence and depth of connection so click through for the full article.
Leaders Read!
Here’s a short and engaging presentation – part of the ‘Walrus Talks’ series – on ‘Deep Water and Deep Leadership’.  Joe MacInnis is a scientist who has worked below the ice of the Arctic Ocean. He has written about deep leadership and essential insights from high-risk environments.
Leaders Watch!

The Leader's View

This goes deep!  It is an astute class submarine, the latest class of nuclear-powered versions in the Royal Navy fleet.  Tested to a depth of 300m it has a crew of 98.  It was built in Barrow-on-Furness in the north west of England and operates out of the Faslane base in the west of Scotland. 

Here it is in one of the shallowest places, closest to land, that it is likely to be during its service. Known locally as ‘the spit’ because it would seem you could spit across, these are the Rhu Narrows at the entrance to the Gare Loch. There are currently three in active service, with each one costing £1.65bn.
 

Longer Read

Deep Work Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport and [published by Grand Central, 2016.]

“Deep Work: Professional activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capacities to their limit.”

In this highly rated book Professor Cal Newport presents a multipart argument for deep, concentrated work. He explains that work that demands your full focus is intrinsically valuable and rewarding. You need to be able to handle “deep work” to succeed in an information economy. Yet people face increasing distractions or social pressure that drive them toward shallow work. Newport develops his ideas with a blend of formal research, stories and personal accounts about the challenges and rewards of deep work. He provides tips for arranging your life to support deep work, which he sees as valuable, productive and rare. He makes his case persuasively and even poetically.

This Week's Blog

Words that Work #46

Latest Blog

...and finally

...without a little reflection, there is no Insight Added.
 

"We rarely find a depth by looking inside of ourselves for it. Depth is found in what we can learn from the people and things around us. Everyone, everything, has a story. "          

Kasie West

Lead well
Graham and Lesley
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