Leadership Article

I came across an article this week that struck a cord with me. It’s from a new on-line newsletter titled “Leadership Wired”. The article is “Why Leaders Fail” by Mark Sanborn (author of “The Fred Factor” and “You Don’t Need a Title to be a Leader”).

It struck a cord with me for two reasons. First, personally it reminded me of some basic principles that I don’t think about in the commotion of everyday life. Second, it seems very on point with concepts I have been discussing with students that I am coaching.

While reading this article (which I printed) I underlined the following:
Warning Sign #1: A Shift in Focus
“. . . what is your primary focus? If you can’t write it on the back of your business card, then your leadership suffers from lack of clarity.”

Warning Sign #2: Poor Communication
“Lack of focus disorients a leader and sets the stage for poor communication.”

Warning Sign #3: Risk Aversion
“Leaders on the verge of breakdown fear failure rather than desiring success.”
“Which is more important to you: the journey or the destination?”

Warning Sign #4: Ethics Slip
“A leader’s credibility depends upon two qualities: what he or she does (competency) and who he or she is (character). Deficiencies in either quality create an integrity problem.”

Warning Sign #5: Poor Self-Management
“Self-preservation isn’t selfish – it’s vital to the health of those you lead.”

Warning Sign #6: Lost Love
“Why did I initially pursue leadership? Have those reasons changed? Do I still want to lead?”

I hope that some part of this is helpful to you in some way.

Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

This is my new favorite video. It is a little over one hour and fifteen minutes. It is Randy Pausch's Last Lecture titled "Achieving Your Childhood Dreams". You may have seen Randy on ABC or other news outlets. This is the full lecture. He was a professor at Carnegie Mellon. It is worth the time to watch it. That's all I'll say.