Secret Sauce Sunday: The One Thing
The one thing I would say to leaders – if I could say only one thing – is, “Make leadership development your priority.”
Obsessively develop your leadership, if you hope to serve effectively.
Results:
Results are the by-product of high expectations, efficient processes, and constant improvement.
The focus of constant improvement in organizations often centers on procedures and processes. But what about people?
The future is about people.
The real test of your leadership is the growth and development of people.
If personal growth and leadership development are the priority of leadership, the real question is how to inspire growth and development.
Imagine environments that ignite and fuel development.
Community:
Community is the essential ingredient in growth and development.
How did you get where you are today? People! There’s a long line of people standing behind you. A teacher or manager took you under his/her wing and ignited your transformation.
Build organizations where people fuel each other’s development.
I imagine organizations that make leadership development a community activity.
- Pull back the curtain and let people see your development. How many people know your current learning-focus? Public learning changes organizational culture.
- Ask others about their development. Everyone in your organizations needs a personal development statement. “I’m developing ….” If you can’t describe the focus of your development, you aren’t developing.
- Share the books and blogs you’re reading.
- Begin meetings with personal stories of growth and development. How are people changing?
- Declare your development goals.
- Discuss lessons from failure. “I’m working to delegate more effectively, but I find it hard to let go.”
- Seek feedback publicly.
- Hire people who love learning.
- Focus on one simple area of development. You’re too busy to change too many things at once.
- Connect with people who passionately develop themselves. “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” Unknown
Who ignited and/or fueled your transformation as a leader?
How might organizations make leadership development a community activity?
I LOVE this post! This is by far my favorite post because I believe everything you said whole heartedly. Amen. Thanks for your wise insights and I also love your Secret Sauce Sunday.
Thanks Heidi. Your very kind. Best wishes for a great week.
Thanks also for the shout out on twitter!
Thank you Prof. Dan for your great mentorship in leadership.
Thanks for your great insights in leadership.
Much obliged.
I totally agree with. . . Heidi. This is an awesome post and a perfect topic. . .
Thanks L.E.
Thanks Gary.
Dear Dan,
Liked the post!
The prime job of a good leader is to develop people to grow in the organization.
Outstanding Dan–and the practice of what you’re saying would be revolutionary. The focus you lay out is one of being proactive and goes against the grain of most company cultures that are reactive.