The Truth About Leadership
The Truth About Leadership by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner states there are ten fundamental truths about leadership and becoming an effective leader.
- You Make A Difference
Before you can lead, you have to believe that you can have a positive impact on others. You have to believe in yourself. That’s where it all begins. Leadership begins when you believe you can make a difference.
- Credibility is the Foundation of Leadership
You have to believe in you, but others have to believe in you, too. What does it take for others to believe in you? Short answer. Credibility. If people don’t believe in you, they won’t willingly follow you.
- Values Drive Commitment
People want to know what you stand for and believe in. They want to know what you value. And leaders need to know what others value if they are going to be able to forge alignments between personal values and organisational demands.
- Focusing on the Future Sets Leaders Apart
The capacity to imagine and articulate exciting future possibilities is a defining competence of leaders. You have to take the long term perspective. Gain insight from reviewing your past and develop outsight by looking around.
- You Can’t Do It Alone
No leader ever got anything extraordinary done without the talent and support of others. Leadership is a team sport, and you need to engage others in the cause. What strengthens and sustains the relationship between leader and constituent is that leaders are obsesses with what is best for others, not what is best for themselves.
- Trust Rules
If you can’t do it alone and have to rely on others, what’s needed to make that happen. Trust. Trust is the social glue that hold individuals and groups together. And the level of trust others have in you will determine the amount of influence you have. You have to earn your constituent’s trust before they’re willing to trust you. That means you have to give trust before you can get trust.
- Challenge is the Crucible for Greatness
Exemplary leaders – the kind of leaders people want to follow – are always associated with changing the status quo. Great achievements don’t happen when you keep things the same. Change invariable involves challenge, and challenge tests you. It brings you face to face with your level of commitment, your grittiness, and your values. It reveals your mindset about change.
- You Either Lead by Example or You Don’t Lead at All
Leaders have to keep their promises and become role models for the values and actions they espouse. You have to go first as a leader. You can’t ask others to do something you aren’t willing to do yourself. Moreover, you have to be willing to admit mistakes and be able to learn from them.
- The Best Leaders are the Best Learners
You have to believe that you (and others) can learn to lead, and that you can become a better leader tomorrow than you are today. Leaders are constant improvement fanatics, and learning is the master skill of leadership. Learning, however, takes time and attention, practice and feedback, along with good coaching. It takes willingness on your part to ask for support.
- Leadership is an Affair of the Heart
It could also be the first truth. Leaders are in love with their constituents, their customers and clients, and the mission they are serving. Leaders make others feel important and are gracious in showing their appreciation. Love is the motivation that energises leaders to give so much for others. You just won’t work hard enough to become great if you aren’t doing what you love.
The 10 Truths of Leadership reinforce, the context of leadership may change, the content of leadership does not.