subject: Leadership: How's your knowledge and courage? [print this page] What do lobsters, scorpions and bees have in common? Yes, a capacity to inflict a nasty bite. But they also all lack a spine. An exoskeleton (the lobster's hard shell) is all that holds their bodies together. There's no internal bone structure. Some leaders are like this. Outer toughness and a nasty bite: the cutting remark or petulant decision. But little inner structure or resolve that makes for true leadership that will deliver results and build respect. What would people say about you: outer show or inner strength? Here are some action options.
It seems to me that, in very broad terms, leadership strength comes from two sources and an effective leader needs both!
1. KNOWLEDGE that's relevant to what's got to be done.
For example,understanding your marketplace anddrivers of competitive advantage, so your team has the practical context for its endeavours; also,demonstrating commercial and technical skill so you can guide and contribute wisely, alsosetting performance standards and benchmarks.
2. COURAGE to make it happen.
For example,taking charge andpushing execution; alsocommunicating effectively; creatingaccountability and takingtough decisions; and, as necessary,adjusting priorities and resourcing to ensure key goals are met as conditions change.
There is no particular magic in any of this. It's just the stuff of building a strong leadership skeleton. No sharp nippers required and certainly no venom.
In which of the two main elements (and their sub parts) would your team say you're strongest and weakest? With regard to your weaker areas, what leadership training or development would they suggest? Would you be willing to follow their advice?
If you're willing to change and strengthen your own skills, then perhaps they also may be willing to try harder, learn new approaches and perhaps trust you more and so be willing to follow you to achieve the challenging goals you've set. The only thing a leader MUST have is followers. Do you have enoughknowledge andcourage to deserve them?
