What is Leadership?

What is Leadership?

What is Leadership?

The age old question continues: What is leadership?

Many great thinkers have tried to answer the question.

Even though definitions differ the answers continue to blow in the wind. One thing is certain; we do know leadership when we see it.

As I study leadership three key skills seem central to the success of leaders; vision, courage and decisiveness.

No surprises here. You have seen these words before. What I would like to offer you are some simple steps in learning and practicing these skills, today. I will give a short definition of each followed by an action step you can use in moving yourself toward leadership competence.

Vision: The act of creating the visual mind-picture for yourself and others of what the future will look like.

Skill action step: Be very specific and explicit in the visual and the emotional details that will be true after the vision has been accomplished. Begin this process with what the vision looks like for you. When you work with others share with them what you see and feel and then let them tell you what the details look like for them. This will build shared vision and begin the process of creating the specifics of the future reality.

Courage: The ability to take action steps into a situation when the outcome is unknown or fearful. If it isn’t scary it doesn’t take courage.

Skill action step: Identify the unknown or fear by asking yourself “What is the worst thing that could happen if I do it?” After you answer that ask “What will happen if I don’t do this?” If you know you need to do the action, do it and accept the consequences. Taking definitive action will move you and your goal forward.

Decisiveness: Being clear about exactly what you want or what you don’t want; making a decision and acting upon it.

Skill action step: Decide and then do it. Accept the consequences and learn from the outcome. You will become practiced in decision-making and thereby become decisive.

Here they are three key skills to practice this week to hone your leadership skills.

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