Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Leadership Through Learning
"Leadership, like swimming, cannot be learned by reading about it.” -Henry Mintzberg
I consider myself a life-long learner...love to read business books, attend workshops, speak at conferences, do webinars, etc. A popular philosophy about a decade ago was, “Knowledge is Power.” Terrific—this aligned with my thinking! Top Leadership Books include:
1. Most things by John C. Maxwell - ‘Leadership 101’, ‘The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership’, “The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader’
2. ‘Leadership and Self-Deception,’ Arbinger Institute
3. ‘Strengths-Based Leadership,’ Tom Rath
4. ‘Primal Leadership: Learning to Lead with Emotional Intelligence,’ Daniel Goleman
5. ‘The Leadership Challenge,’ Kouzes and Posner
6. ‘Good to Great,’ Jim Collins
7. ‘Servant Leadership,’ Greenleaf, Spears, Covey
8. ‘Principle Centered Leadership,’ Stephen R. Covey
9. ‘What Got You Here Won’t Get You There,’ Goldsmith and Reiter
10. ‘First Break All the Rules,’ Buckingham and Coffman
This list is just the beginning of knowledge you can acquire on the topic of leadership.
Now the interesting part begins…
What do you do with all the theories, tips, and techniques contained in the pages of these volumes? You can contemplate and consider the words of these thought leaders, and never attain any leadership skill.
You need to decide which theory is most authentic for your personality and style (or create your own!) and go out and PRACTICE leadership. It may be at work - regardless if you have the official title - , home, neighborhood, church, or you volunteer for a cause. My point is: Get out and try some of the leadership practices you want to.
Remember, you cannot lead if you’re at home surfing in your Lazy Boy recliner. Knowledge in Action is Power.
Until next time...lead like you mean it!
Marjorie
