Five Powerful “C’s” For Leadership Success
5 powerful “C’s” for leadership success:
- Cultivation: Grow as you go, not before. Find new capacity by embracing inadequacy. Sufficiency is the enemy of growth.
- Curiosity: The second solution is often better than the first. But, you can’t find the second solution when you’re defending the first. Stay open minded after you find an answer.
- Compassion: Show compassion while getting things done.
- Courage. Older leaders often say, “If I had it to do again, I’d take more risks.” The fear of failure motivates. Running from discomfort is the end of achievement.
- Celebration: Celebrate the contribution of others. You aren’t always the smartest person in the room, regardless of how smart you think you are.
Attitude determines altitude.
4 skills necessary for success:
Success rises on the wings of skill.
- Technical skill. Become a go-to person in at least one area.
- People skill.
- Make people feel good about themselves.
- Get along with people you don’t like.
- Be helpful.
- Express gratitude.
- Organizational skill.
- Know how to fit into organizational culture.
- Connect with power-people. Help them succeed. Ask them to help you.
- Engage in rewardable behaviors. Who is rewarded in your organization? Why? How can you engage in similar behaviors?
- Leadership skill.
- Avoid competition with direct reports. Encourage people to out-do you. The more stars on your team, the brighter you shine.
- Solve problems. Don’t simply complain, find solutions. Tackle challenges others avoid.
- Depend on others. Self-sufficient leaders never reach as high as those who accept help. Depending on others is wisdom, not weakness.
- Recruit diverse teams. Avoid the temptation to surround yourself with people who are like you. Diversity is strength.
- Embrace the power of small. A small step forward today is almost always better than waiting for a giant step tomorrow.
What key factors for leadership success can you add?
Just downright excellent!
Thanks Alan. Have a great week.
That’s the plan! I enjoy telling others about your writing. This is one I’ll be telling other’s about.
And, may you, Dan, be blessed with more wisdom to keep writing what we need to hear for the first time, or to be reminded of.
Great post!!
Thanks Tiny.
Another great nugget of wisdom. There are so may “c” words – collaboration, confidence, competence, kindness (opps) THANX!
A small step today is better than waiting for a giant step… That may never come. I’m struggling to get a leader to articulate his vision. Perhaps I’d stress myself less if I give up hoping for an epiphany and focus on taking the small steps. I can’t control an epiphany but I can present the the small steps. Thanks, Dan; you always offer up substance.
Dear Dan,
Quite an appreciable post! You have covered all essential skills required in a good leader. I may add few more C’s like Communication, Creativity, Culture-building, Collaborative & Combining Values Skills in this list.
A leader needs to demonstrate such skills in his regular acts and win the confidence of all to drive the organization to newer heights of success. The journey has to be challenging, full of enthusiasm and satisfying. The end results then become much more enjoyable with new zest to work on higher goals with a bundle of skills set that are productive.
Hy Dan,
“C” for Contemplation!
Sounds strange for you or unusual or curio?
I am for openness – a kind of inspection and the open view & open mind
– sometimes we have to free the mind!
Inspiration – by letting go – getting an new idea – a way for new solutions!
Sometimes is healthy to let go – old stuff – old behaviour – old solutions …
Have a nice day and thanks 😉
Forgot the word “C” for clean – clean up – fresh or refresh … skills, and so on. 🙂
Dan,
“C” Complete what you start.
All good stuff as usual, thanks for clarifying Leadership, in such a cultivated manner.
Cheers
My 5 C’s: Clarity, Context, Calculated Risks, Collaboration, Coaching
What is your advice on how to fit into organizational culture? Its surely easier said than done.
Hi Dan. A headhunter by profession, I’ve always encouraged our executive search consultants and clients to recruit leaders with “Character, Courage and Competence”.
Thanks Holly. Don’t you love a useful alliteration? 🙂