RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: On the lighter side...
For people who don’t know it yet, I’m a consultant (engineering) in the petroleum industry; some of my job responsibilities include AFE budget, hands-on execution of drilling (exploration), co-ordination of personnel and related services. I’ve consulted for major oil companies the world over and at times when contracted, had to take “leadership development programs”. The reason why, is simply………in order to do my job, I have to assume a leadership role to get the job done effectively
One program that has stood out for me; I’ve pasted an excerpt below from that course,
In the absence of a clear definition for leadership, the reality is many of today’s leaders are suffering from an identity crisis. The magnitude of this crisis can range from a distorted, diluted, destructive, and in some cases deranged form of what people inaccurately define as leadership when not held to a clearly articulated, well defined standard. Because those in leadership roles have failed to define leadership in an acceptable fashion, society has allowed the practice of leadership to be commoditized, which in turn, has made it all too common for non-leaders to assume leadership positions thus continuing the devolution of leadership as a practice.
When we devalue the worth of leadership, it only follows many people will in turn devalue their worth as a leader. Many leaders today simply do not understand what leadership is, which is precisely why we find ourselves in a crisis of leadership. I would suggest much of what we view today being represented as leadership is actually unleadership – a cheap imitation of the real thing by those who are role playing, but clearly are not leading.
When leaders become lost and confused, it doesn’t just impact them – it creates a ripple effect through an organization with a destructive force much more closely resembling a tsunami. Leadership isn’t about maximizing a W-2, and it’s not about personal glory or media attention. Put simply, true leadership isn’t about the leader.
Leadership is more than a title; it’s a privilege and therefore a burden of the highest responsibility. Nothing is more dangerous than a leader who loses sight of their real purpose – to serve something greater than themselves. Leadership is about qualities that recognize others while bringing out the best in them. Leadership cannot flourish with small minds, thinking about small things, in small ways.
There is no perfect leader; only the right leader for a given situation. Great leaders have the innate ability to call on the right skills in a contextually and environmentally appropriate fashion. No single leader can possess every needed attribute. It’s not the traits you possess as a leader, but what you do with them that matters. If I were successful in my genetic engineering exercise I would no doubt have created a leader who would be driven crazy by emotional and intellectual conflicts.
So, what is real leadership? Leadership is about giving credit not taking it, breaking down barriers not building them, destroying bureaucracies not creating them, bridging positional and philosophical gaps not setting boundaries, thinking big and acting bigger, being able to focus on short-term objectives without losing sight of long-term value, not focusing on the volume of outputs but the impact of said outputs, surrender not control, and most of all, leadership is about truly caring for those whom you serve.
My challenge to those “playing leadership” is to abandon the practice of unleadership. I encourage you to stop contributing to the crisis of leadership and instead begin contributing to a culture of leadership. Define leadership, hold to a standard, build into others, don’t tolerate the status quo, and inspire greatness. When it comes to leadership, it’s not enough to be just smart; be all you can be, you must focus on helping others become all that they can be!
No more derogatory name calling; no more agenda; lead and I guarantee you, you will garner more respect and that is a good thing!
You've been challenged,
No wonder the world is in the shape it’s in.....we need leaders and there are some on this board who need to step into that role. there are "chess" players here! Even you J
Just saying,
wdv