I’m really pleased to offer this guest post by coauthor of the international bestseller “The Secret”, Mark Miller. Mark has just released his latest book “The Heart of Leadership”, which makes a really important point – our growth and success as leaders depends on so much more that learning the right “skills” and in act, is based on the bedrock of leadership character.
I really hope you enjoy Mark’s post which originally appeared in July 2013, on the Great Leaders Serve blog. Thanks to Mark for his permission to reprint.
For many years, I’ve been using the metaphor of the iceberg to talk about leadership. The problem: for almost a decade, I’ve been talking about only a small part of the story. The Heart of Leadership tells the rest of the story.
Yes, the iceberg still works, but there’s a lot more to leadership than the part above the waterline. That’s the part Ken Blanchard and I wrote about in The Secret. We outlined the things great leaders DO – the tip of the iceberg.
Clearly, leadership skills are essential; without them, leaders fail. However, more leaders fail because of what’s below the waterline, than what’s above. Most leaders who stumble do so because of issues with their leadership character. That’s the topic I address in The Heart of Leadership.
Today, I want to quickly outline the five leadership character attributes covered in the book.
Hunger for Wisdom – Leaders understand the importance of their decisions. Countless decisions – people decisions, strategy decisions, resource allocation decisions – they all matter. Wisdom informs our decisions. The good news: Wisdom can be forged over time. That’s why leaders pursue growth and wisdom.
Expect the Best – Leaders are optimists. They expect the best from themselves and others. They anticipate good outcomes. They believe in the potential of others. This worldview informs all of their decisions. However, it is not a “rose-colored glasses” outlook. Great leaders remain grounded in reality, and yet they still see a future that’s better than today.
Accept Responsibility – Leaders, at least the best ones, don’t blame others. They own their outcomes and the work of those they lead. If it happens “on their watch,” they own it. At the same time, when things go well, these same leaders are quick to give praise. Leaders possess a wonderful blend of responsibility and humility.
Respond with Courage – Leaders take action – they initiate. This requires courage — sometimes small amounts. At other times tremendous courage is required to do the right thing. This often involves unpopular decisions. Leaders accept this as part of the role. Their first accountability is to the mission and values of the organization. No organization thrives without courageous leadership.
Think Others First – This is probably the most critical leadership character trait of them all. In The Secret, we asked a question that seems applicable here. It is THE question that most reflects your leadership character and mine: Are you a serving leader or a self-serving leader? When you and I can cultivate the habit to Think Others First in the face of life’s daily challenges, we’re well on our way to developing the heart of leadership.
Why does any of this matter? If you and I don’t demonstrate these leadership character traits, we will not been seen as leaders. You may be thinking, “But what about my skills?” Here’s the plain truth about your leadership skills and mine…
If your heart is not right, no one cares about your skills.
How are you doing on these five attributes? Like Blake, the main character in the book, you may have some work to do. Here’s a link to a free assessment you can take to get a reality check on the condition of your heart.
Mark Miller, well known business leader, best-selling author, and communicator, is excited about sharing The Heart of Leadership: Becoming a Leader People Want to Follow with those who are ready to take the next step. You can find it on Amazon and in bookstores everywhere.
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