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leadership is not a set of genetic characteristics, but the result of a lifelong process of self-discovery.
“Leadership is character,
“Timeless leadership is always about character, and it is always about authenticity.
“Timeless leadership is always about character, and it is always about authenticity.
True North is your orienting point—your fixed point in a spinning world—that helps you stay on track as a leader. It is derived from your most deeply held beliefs, your values, and the principles you lead by. It is your internal compass, unique to you, that represents who you are at your deepest level.
When you follow your internal compass, your leadership will be authentic, and people will naturally want to associate with you.
“You are the author of your life.
“You are the author of your life.
“The most important thing about leadership is your character and the values that guide your life.
The quality of today's leaders is reflected in the lasting results they are achieving within their organizations.
Rather than waiting to get to the top to become leaders, they looked for every opportunity to lead and to develop themselves.
People will only trust you when you are genuine and authentic.
the hardest person you will ever have to lead is yourself. Once you are fully comfortable with who you are—and feel good in your own skin—leading others authentically becomes much easier.
Authentic leaders are true to themselves and to what they believe in. They engender trust and develop genuine connections with others. Because people trust them, authentic leaders are able to motivate them to achieve high levels of performance. Rather than letting the expectations of others guide them, they are their own persons and go their own ways.
Looking at patterns from your early life story, what people, events, and experiences have had the greatest impact on you and your life? In which experiences did you find the greatest inspiration and passion for your leadership? Do the failures or disappointments you experienced earlier in your life constrain you, even today, or have you been able to reframe them as learning experiences? Do you think you need to make any adjustments to your personal and leadership development as a result? If so, what are they?
What personality weaknesses do I have that might cause me to lose sight of my True North? Under what circumstances could I fall into this trap?
Glory Seekers define themselves by the acclaim of the external world. Money, fame, and power are their goals. Often it seems more important to appear on lists of the most powerful business leaders than it does to build organizations of lasting value.
To observers, these individuals are perpetual motion machines, always on the go, traveling incessantly to get ahead. They rarely make time for family, friendships, their communities, or even themselves.
Today ShareFile has eclipsed Hightail, the former market leader that had raised $83 million from venture capitalists. Lipson said, “I didn't focus on media coverage, investors, or the analysts. I just listened to what customers wanted.
The role of leaders is not to get other people to follow them but to empower other people to lead. They cannot elicit the best performance from their teams if they are in the game primarily for themselves.
Most of the leaders we interviewed were shaped by severe trials in their lives, which we call crucibles.
Psychologist Abraham Maslow found that tragedy and trauma were the most important human learning experiences leading to self-actualization.
Crucibles enable people to learn life is uncertain, and they have limited control. This new reality empowers individuals to challenge old assumptions and understand they must demo...
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Some magic takes place in the crucible of leadership, whether a transformational experience like Mandela's years in prison, or a relatively painless experience such as being mentored. Whatever is thrown at them, leaders emerge from their crucibles stronger and unbroken.
To navigate through a crucible, you need to believe in yourself and your purpose in life and summon the inner strength and courage to endure. These difficult times also require the affirmation and support of
those closest to you.
Given the abuse and poverty she experienced earlier in her life, it would have been easy for Winfrey to feel like a victim. Yet she rose above her difficulties by reframing her story in positive terms: first by taking responsibility for her life, then in recognizing her mission to empower others to take responsibility for theirs.
Her transformation did not occur until her midthirties.
three ways to deal with crucibles: Focus on the event, and live your life looking backward, often an angry life of blaming others. Live your life as if nothing happened, while the memories and the pain remain deep inside you. Use the event to transform your wound into a pearl.
traumatic
experiences can result in post-traumatic growth (PTG)
PTG starts by recognizing the uncertainties in life and embracing them as fundamental tenets of human existence. It also requires self-awareness a...
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This was the first time I experienced significant personal failure. It led to my greatest growth, as I had to look myself in the mirror and accept personally that I had failed. I learned people still loved
me, and lots of business opportunities and dreams were still achievable.
any problem can be solved by inspiring people to lead.
“Business well run is a force for good in the world.