I’ve written umpteen papers on Leadership. Yet, I feel compelled to write more about one of the world’s great problems. One that is not dealt with in ways I will suggest in the following pages. Of course, all that I write is me expressing what I firmly believe, so agree or disagree; I’m fine, and you’re fine.
A revisit: I often write that when I first began to work with professionals and entrepreneurs (it was 1975), I was invited to help with staff problems. I was shocked to witness that the leader is absolutely the problem and not their personnel. I was shocked because I was “that” leader for the prior 27 years. In other words, I was totally blind to being any problem and problem creator. My staff, which at one time numbered 100, needed all the care and training I could give them. This, I did do.
I had no choice but to become a serious student of “LEADERSHIP,” which led me to “POWER.” Again, to repeat, I became the best student I have ever been. Philosophy, Psychology, History, Lots of Old & New Testament— In fact, I read and took notes from every possible source. I left nothing to chance or my own experiences. I needed to know what the great thinkers thought and wrote on the subjects. I do not have one, but I think I earned a Doctorate ten times over.
Now, what did I learn? I learned that a leader could become a “good leader” regardless of their past attributes, behavior, and life experiences. I learned that all the military academies and universities that teach leadership are blowing smoke if what they teach are methods and techniques, including how to look and say things differently.
I think I know where I’m going with this, but it may take a few more papers why I call this “1.”
Sy
