Why Leadership Development is Superficial and How to Fix It
You’re missing the point if all you want to do is become a better leader. Your vision is puny. Maybe you’re self-centered.
My passion:
Developing leaders is a secondary passion in my life.
Don’t get me wrong. I love leadership development. But in itself, leadership development is superficial.
I develop leaders because I love and respect followers.
When leaders get better, the lives they touch get better.
When you get better at leading:
- Others matter more. You matter less.
- Everyone around you becomes more productive and fulfilled.
- Teams function better.
Develop your leadership because you love and respect followers.
The better you are at leading – the richer, more fulfilling, and productive are the lives of the people who follow you.
Understanding aspiration:
Aspiration is dissatisfaction with the gap between now and not-yet.
Aspiration is dissatisfaction with who-you-are-now and who-you-hope-to-be in the future.
Examples:
Aspiration for better leadership is dissatisfaction with your current:
- Effectiveness in creating environments where people thrive.
- Courage to address tough issues with forward-facing curiosity.
The above skills and traits matter because when you get better, the lives of those around you get better.
Aspiring for humility is dissatisfaction with your current:
- Passion for the spotlight.
- Need to be right.
A conversation with Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic on aspiration. Author of, “Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? (and how to fix it).”
Misery:
Many leaders are motivated to develop their leadership because their lives are filled with frustration and disappointment.
If you’re frustrated with your leadership, the people around you are frustrated too. Misery flows downhill.
The value of misery is it motivates.
Get your head out of your butt. The real reason to develop your leadership isn’t to make your life better. It’s to make the lives of others better.
How might leadership development efforts move from superficial to meaningful?
Contact Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic:
Twitter: @drtcp
Website: www.drtomas.com
Great post. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks!
Brilliant. Bang on. Purpose and leadership – wise message.
Thanks Barb!
Happiness is not an “end” goal that we accomplish and are then satisfied. It is the “good feelings” we have that we’re making a difference. BUT it’s also the fuel / the motivation for our ASPIRATIONS to continue making a difference.
IMO, our aspirations must be in terms of what we can do to improve things for others. AND it’s our efforts addressing those aspirations that maintain the happiness we’ve chosen to have. Oh, by the way, this will yield success whatever our definition of success is …
Thanks John. The thing that’s important to me is aspiration is an outward focused thing. That represents a major shift. Have a great week.
Thanks Dan – great message today
Thanks Mark.
Learnt so much, thanks for sharing such a great message Dan.
Thank you for helping me help others
Great post! I really enjoyed this topic because it’s something i’m being more cognizant about with regards to motivational factors. I agree ‘servant leadership’ is what it should be about; growing and developing others to be the best you can be. There would be no point in working yourself as a leader constantly because you need to. The individual like you said shouldn’t be the true benefactor but it should be the followers.
Thanks Mohamed. You must be another student of Jim’s. Great to have you participating. I wish you well with your studies.
Yes I am! Much appreciated Dan! I enjoy reading these topics as I have aspirations to be in a formal leadership role.
You do feel more content and happier if the people around you are learning and engaged. So although it isn’t meant to be about me, I must admit I am happier when others are happier. We all win. Team work.
Thanks CM. Yes, it feels good to see others do well. If you want to call it virtuous selfishness, I’m OK with that. However, I reject the idea that all we are is selfish because we enjoy doing what is good for others.
Excellent post Dan! Moving LD to meaningful, for me, is being able to connect or link training to action. This would include following up on a regular basis to reinforce what was learned. (This can also help the mentor as much as it helps the mentee).