8 Things That Leadership Is Not

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I like most of these points Daniel but not sure I agree with fail with purpose #DNUV. Fail and purpose just don't seem right in the same breath. Perhaps turn failures into purpose as in we learn from them? -- we can build on them but no way am I trying to fail with purpose - I'm trying NOT to fail and if I fail, get up and remedy immediately. Just IMHO :)

I really like this post, Chicago. I don't know how I missed it! I like the format, but I also was encouraged by many of your points. I'm a bit bummed that I can't learn leadership from a book, although I admittedly knew that all along. What I find more interesting is the idea that leadership is learned "from falling on your face, brushing off the dirt and doing it again." I really think of leadership as a daily goal. Each day I work to be a better leader than I was the day before. Some days I do really well. Other days I fail. It seems there is an unfair assumption out there that leaders always know what to do and when/how to do it. So. Not. True.

Thanks for making me think!

Fangirl

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How does one lead as a boss? First, one needs to know what leadership actually is!

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Best regards, Ben

Leadership is a science and so is engagement

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Much appreciated bro :-)

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very nice indeed - thanks

"Leadership is not about pointing a finger. It's about realizing there are four fingers pointing back at you."

OK, now I think we've covered all the leadership clichés...

True Leadership is about solving problems in a beautiful manner. Beautiful solutions are solutions authorized by what is good and true. Insofar as a solution lacks in it's reflection of goodness and truth, it lacks in elegance.

This, of course, is easier written or said than done. In other words, leadership itself represents considerable challenge to those who aspire to be great leaders. And to those who yearn for great leaders. For a leader is not to be measured only be one-dimensional results such as profit, body count (living or dead), or the temporary pleasure of those served.

As Gini Dietrich points out in her comment, one-dimensional results (business sustainability, for example) are essential to the equation. But a great leader is also to be measured by the good and truth reflected in the means by which results are accomplished. AND also the good and truth reflected in the results - those things beyond immediate and urgent necessities.

To be sure, great leaders must have an intimate understanding of the good, the true, and the beautiful. As Confucius suggests, they must be able to see all sides of a problem without bias. Some may be blessed to know these things intuitively and also with the self-control that does not permit their own personal interest and affections to cloud their perception and judgment. But myself, I do not know anyone like this. Nor I have met one so blessed.

I have, however, met men and women who were well educated in the good, the true, and the beautiful, who sought to clothe themselves in virtue, and who served a higher authority than their own selfish nature. I would like to note that they are few. And fewer and fewer, it seems, with each generation that comes after the rise and eminence of the postmodern mind.

Sometimes, I despair that all our well intentioned conversations about leadership are for nothing. While it is easy to judge whether a decision is a good or bad decision regarding one-dimensional objectives, this is just the physics of psychology and it has nothing to do with leadership as a virtue.

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Leadership is about helping others fulfilling their objectives and not getting them to adhere to yours in business.

Leadership is also about having a well defined vision.

Leaders innovate.

Thanks for sharing, Dan :)

And I would say knowing how to take care of the business first and foremost...a very tough lesson I have to keep learning (my inclination is to take care of people first, even to the detriment of the business).

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Leadership is also not about being afraid of risk!