Here is a definition on leadership that I really like. It is from Peter Drucker's book, Management: Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices, page 463. I have changed the wording to make it gender neutral.
Leadership is
the lifting of a person's vision
to higher sights,
the raising of a person's performance
to a higher standard,
the building of a person's personality
beyond its normal limitations.
When you empower others so they have a greater mission, vision, dream, passion and purpose, along with the desire, belief and confidence to move toward what they see...
When you empower others so they have a greater capacity, competency and opportunity to do what they are meant to do...
When you empower others so they grow internally (the heart, soul, character, emotional intelligence) and become who they are meant to be...
. . . then, according to Drucker - you are leading.
At the heart of leadership is the equipping, empowering, developing of those around you. When you are able to mobilize and coordinate the work of these empowered people so they are now working together toward shared dreams, each fitted in to the right place where they can make their contribution - you are moving to very effective and fruitful levels of leadership.
Think about the people whom you are leading and assess how you are doing what Drucker says is the heart of leadership.
Brian K. Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International
www.lci.typepad.com
