Think Like a Leader
Exceptionalism is a word getting a lot of coverage recently – sometimes not in a good way. The Merriam-Webster definition of exceptionalism is ‘the condition of being different from the normal’ and ‘a theory expounding the exceptionalism especially of a nation or region’. The latter use often refers to the USA but is also sometimes used about the UK. There are both positive and negative aspects to the belief in exceptionalism, both for nations and leaders.
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Feel Like a Leader
There is a paradox in believing yourself to be exceptional. If we only feel ‘ordinary’ we are likely to lack the confidence necessary to lead others; if we believe we are extraordinary it can distort our judgement.
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Act Like a Leader
Leaders should always take themselves with a pinch of salt. So you need to have a belief in your own abilities and the confidence or ‘chutzpah’ to move ahead, but you also need to be able to laugh at yourself too. ‘We’re all Jock Tamson's Bairns.’
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Seth Godin is a well-known author and entrepreneur, but he is also an excellent teacher. His podcasts are off-beat, entertaining and educational. Have a listen and learn why 90% of us think we are above average drivers.
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In this article Hannah Wright asks ‘What are the top 5 traits of exceptional leaders?’
Are you a born leader? Despite the old adage of some people being natural born leaders, leadership is in fact a skill that can be learned and developed. However, if everyone is being encouraged to become a leader these days, how do you stand out from the crowd and become an exceptional leader in your workplace?
Leadership development consultants Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman identified the top leadership skills that are most important for success, after they spoke to more than 300,000 business leaders in one of the biggest research projects of its type.
There were several traits that stood out above the rest. How many of these do you have?
1. They’re masterful communicators
2. They’re unafraid of showing soft skills
3. They display integrity and honesty – and embrace failure
4. They’re visionaries who innovate and inspire others
5. They’re creative and solve problems
They think it’s best summed up by Lao Tzu: 'A leader is best when people barely know they exist, when their work is done, their aim fulfilled, the people will say: “we did it ourselves”’.
You can read the full article using the link.
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Tony Robbins on 'The Psychology and Skills of Exceptional Leaders’. This video interview comes from Inc Magazine – a reliable resource for leaders. Tony Robbins is a notable speaker and this easy-to-listen-to interview by the Inc editor with this masterful communicator shows just why he is so popular.
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Gourock’s ‘Wee Annie’ does not celebrate the life of a special local person. Rather, she gazes towards the pier and the Clyde, celebrating the iconic days of ‘going doon the watter’ for your holidays. Her proper title is ‘Girl on a Suitcase’ but in true west of Scotland style she is better known by her nickname.
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How to Be Exceptional - Drive Leadership Success By Magnifying Your Strengths
By John H. Zenger, Joseph R. Folkman, Robert H. Sherwin Jr. and Barbara A. Steel and published by McGraw-Hill in 2012.
This is really a research report where key findings have been extrapolated to provide the reader with useful expertise, guidance, and information. The authors calculate that approximately 32% of leadership ability is genetically based and that the other 68% depends on other factors, such as developing the skills that leadership requires.
The authors explain how their research substantiates the merits of “strengths-based” leadership development and cover how that works and what it can accomplish in building you and leaders for your organisation.
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Blessed Are They Who Run Around In Circles…
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...without a little reflection, there is no Insight Added.
“Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.”
John F. Kennedy
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Lead well
Graham and Lesley
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