How Great Leaders Grow Their Leadeship Capability

by Michael Holland    

Ken Blanchard and Mark Miller released a new book in February 2012.  You might remember Blanchard, who wrote the now classic, The One Minute Manager, which was extremely impactful, given it’s easy to read format and 3 practical management techniques.

The new book, Great Leaders Grow: Becoming a Leader for Life, is an easy read business fable.  I like the simplicity with which he approaches the complex world of leadership by challenging that leadership isn’t something you learn in a day.  Great leaders become great because they are on a long journey to learn and increase their wisdom.   Here’s a quick summary of his model.

G = Gain Knowledge

R = Reach Out to Others

O = Open Your World

W = Walk Towards Wisdom

I’ve come to the conclusion that a journey for leadership wisdom is like being a successful parent:  you can fake caring but you can’t fake showing up.  Being labeled as the parent of a kid is substantially different than actively engaging in creating a sustainable relationship, exacting measured counseling versus discipline, and committing to showing up every day.

If you are going through the motions as a leader, then you aren’t creating leadership wisdom, nor are you being as effective as you could be.  And if this is the case and you are really a stand-up guy or gal, you would ask the company to reduce your compensation package to more appropriately match your value to the organization.