LEADERSHIP: IT STARTS WITH LEADING YOURSELF

Published: 2009-06-29   please add a comment below

It's a wry statement but true: every overnight success is preceded by ten years of slog.  A serial entrepreneur said this to me recently.  He was talking about his current business venture that's struggling to get traction.  But, the same statement also applies to leadership.  Getting to the top is a testament to discipline and courage.  At each stage, the discipline to make a plan.  And, the courage to implement it.  Do you have that?  And, know what it means today?

It's more exciting to hail a new tournament winner or opera star as coming from nowhere.  But, the star can tell you about the years of preparation and setbacks.  The terror of the big challenges and the relentless grind to excel.  In sum, the need for discipline and courage.

Discipline: how would your colleagues rate you?  High, medium or low?  At some stage in their careers, most famous golfers or opera singers have had to rethink what they're doing and change something fundamental: their swing or how they breathe.  As fans we see the result but not the struggle.  And, the same is true for leaders.  The best appear to do it naturally, without thought or effort.  But, that's the result of relentless attention to what they're doing and whether it's working.  The successful CEO is a product of his or her own self-leadership.  A key reason they can lead others is they've learnt to lead themselves.

When last (or ever) did you analyse your leadership?  Evaluating which actions you've taken were effective; and, which not - and, why?  Or, looking forward (at your new project, product launch or business turnaround), do you have a leadership action plan?  NOT the list of actions to execute the project or launch the product: that's the business plan - and includes actions for you but also your team and many others.  Where's the list of actions YOU'LL take (proactively) so people want to come on the journey: informed, enthusiastic and committed to achieve needed outcomes?  The discipline to make that plan is Step One of self-leadership.

Courage: again, how would your colleagues rate you?  When the professional golfer decides to change his swing or the prima donna to change her breathing, that takes courage.  They're altering things central to their current success - and reputation.  And, many admirers will advise against: you're doing fine, don't mess with it.  But, the real stars know they can rise still higher; and have the courage (having made their plan) to implement it.  For leaders, Step Two is execution: the unyielding determination to follow through and excel.

As we've developed our V|E|C|T|O|R online business, I've noticed a lot of leaders say: wow, this looks useful.  It's really down-to-earth and practical.  It would help me analyse what I need to do as a leader, and turn that into a one-page plan.  Yes, they say, I'll try it and let you know how I go.  Some do, but many don't.  There's no way they'd operate without a business plan.  But, it seems they'll happily lead without a leadership plan.

Let me repeat, leadership starts with leading yourself: the discipline to make your plan; and, the courage to implement it.  Become your own star: the very best you can be!

Dr. Timothy Pascoe AM
PhD (Cambridge), MBA (Harvard), BE & BEc (Adelaide)
Creator, V|E|C|T|O|R Leadership^®