A leader is someone you choose to follow to a place you wouldn’t or couldn’t go by yourself.

Components of this definition

1. Choice
2. Place you’re going to.

You can only earn the like of leader if you meet this definition in the eyes of those who look to you for leadership.

Characteristics of leaders:

1. Coverage
2. Commitment
3. Communication
4. Compassion
5. Trust
6. Integrity
7. Inspiration

A. Build bridges to the future

Where is this place that people won’t go without a leader?

Followers don’t have the time to deal with the future.  It is the leaders responsibility to take care of tomorrow.

The story of Motorola

1. Focus on the future

The most important role of the leader is to recognize and secure the future.

“Few corporations are able to participate in the next wave of technology because they are blinded by the business at hand”

Edson De Castro

CEO of Data General

If you cannot see the future you cannot lead.

1. Paradigm Shifts

A Parading shift is understanding the drivers of fundamental change and being willing to change your thinking to accommodate these changes.

Your future will show up well before you need it and if you are not willing to be flexible and adapt it will whiz past you like the airplane did to the train.

1. Systems Thinking

Small actions can cause large problems over time.

1. Charismatic Leadership

Leaders can have a profound impact, positive or negative, on the productivity of their followers based on the style of leadership they choose to use.

1. Vision

“Companies with a vision do 6 x better than Non-Visionary competitors”

Jim Collins – Built to Last

SUMMARY

Five lessons:

1. Focus the majority of your efforts on the future.
2. Understand the nature of fundamental change.
3. Appreciate complex systems and how they work.
4. Examine your Leadership Style and how it affects productivity.
5. Create Shared vision to build bridges to the future.

Leadership is no longer about privilege, it is about responsibility.

Joel Barker

The Management / Leadership Continuum