Qualified to Lead Tomorrow
May 11, 2009
“In the tenuous years that lie ahead, the familiar benchmarks, guideposts, and milestones will change as rapidly and explosively as the times, but the one constant at the center of the vortex will be the leader. The leader beyond the millennium will not be the leader who has learned the lessons of “How to do it”…The leader for today and the future will be focused on “How to be” - How to develop quality, character, mind-set, values, principles, and courage.” - Frances Hesselbein
• It is terrible for us to work hard and one day realize that we have the things we wanted, but have not become who we wanted.
• It is possible to “have” and not “be”, but it is impossible to “be” and not “have”.
Four qualities today that qualify the Leader of tomorrow
1. The future leader always maintains the posture of a learner.
- Listens more than he talks.
- Asks the right questions.
- Reads constantly wide and deep.
- The more he learns, the more he discovers he needs to learn.
2. The future leader is a visionary
- Visionaries are those who dare to dream.
- Visionaries possess knowledge.
- Visionaries possess a heart of generosity to support others in reaching their dreams
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can somehow become great.”
- Mark Twain
Four principles for visionary leadership:
- Keep learning about your business.
- Keep re-inventing your business.
- Keep away from negative people.
- Develop an abundance mentality.
3. The future leader is an example
“Be careful how you live. You may be the only bible some person ever reads.”
- William J. Toms
1. Be an example in the words you speak.
2. Be an example in your choice of conduct in response to adversity.
3. Be an example of unconditional love for friends, enemies, and competitors.
4. Be an example in attitude.
5. Be an example in faith.
6. Be an example in pure motives.
4. The future leader has integrity
“Of all the attributes…there is one that is unquestionably of greatest importance. The dimension of honesty…Being seen as someone who can be trusted, who has high integrity…is essential. You may know someone is clearly competent, dynamic, and inspirational. But if you have a sense that that person is not being honest…you will not willingly follow.” - James M. Kouzes
The roots of integrity that sustain our future leadership:
- Building credibility by doing what we say we will do.
- Establish a reputation that motivates people to follow.
- Maintain congruence between our mission/vision and the needs of our followers/partners.
- Strengthening our team by clarifying purpose, unifying players, and intensifying actions.
