Ten Quotes on Leadership from CEO Bill George

I’ve been working with a leader in a volunteer organization who  became the chair of the organization last year.  Moving from member to chair is an adjustment for both the chair and its members.  Sometimes the transition is smooth but hers has been rocky and one year into it nobody is happy.  It’s been an education for her and the members.

When you are the leader your words have more weight than when you are a member.  What seems like a suggestion to you may seem like an order to those who are the direct reports or in her case the members.  It takes courage on both sides to find a way to work together that is meaningful and satisfying to both the leader and the employees/members.

We can learn a lot by studying other leaders. These are quotes taken from an article entitled Becoming an Authentic Leader by Bill George www.authenticleaders.org. Bill George is the former CEO of Medtronic.

1.  “After years of studying leaders and their traits, I believe that leadership begins and ends with authenticity.”
2. “Authentic leaders genuinely desire to serve others through their leadership.”
3. “They (Authentic Leaders) are more interested in empowering the people they lead to make a difference than they are in power, money, or prestige for themselves.”
4. “They (Authentic Leaders) are as guided by qualities of the heart, by passion, and compassion, as they are by qualities of the mind.”
5. “Authentic leaders use their natural abilities, but they also recognize their shortcomings and work hard to overcome them.”
6. “They (Authentic Leaders) lead with purpose, meaning and values.”
7. “They (Authentic Leaders) build enduring relationships with people.”
8. “Others follow them (Authentic Leaders) because they know where they stand.”
9. “When principles are tested, they (Authentic Leaders) refuse to compromise.”
10.  “Authentic leaders are dedicated to developing themselves because they know that becoming a leader takes a lifetime of personal growth.”

 Leadership Ideas From Other Leaders.

One of my most popular lists is the Six Characteristics of Leaders from a speech by Rudolph Guiliani. http://www.asparker.com/ppts0503.html

If you would like another take on leadership, read tips from Jeff Immelt of GE:  http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/81/immelt.html

Are you ready to grow your leadership skills?

Whether you are a leader now or whether you aspire to be one it is important to grow your leadership skills.  Each one of us will be a leader to some now or in the future.  Start now by understanding your communication style and that of other work associates.

The DISC is an assessment that takes a few minutes to complete and gives invaluable information about how others see you and how best to ask others to communicate with you.  Since it is a behavioral assessment you will learn to identify other behavioral styles as well as your own and learn how to communicate with a person with a different style from yours.

We’ll put together a plan for you to implement so that you can continue using this new behavioral identification skill after our session ends. You’ll know how to get the best from others by using the style that they best understand.  If you have an interest in this, please contact me at 781-598-0388 or at asparker@asparker.com for more complete details.