As we continue to look out at a troubled world, the challenges for leaders have never been greater. This time in history is calling out for the most human qualities of leadership to solve our deepest problems in our troubled organizations and in the despair we see in so many parts of our world. As women, this kind of leadership is our strength, don't you think?
Frances Hesselbein a long time role model and mentor in my leadership career has some timely advice for us. Frances is Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Leader to Leader Institute, an organization with its roots in the social sector and its predecessor, the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management. She is a leader notably hailed by Fortune, Business Week and the New York Times and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the USA's highest civilian honor. I've been learning from her since she was profiled for her exemplary leadership as CEO of the Girl Scouts throughout the world in Warren Bennis' classic film, The Leader Within . In her bestselling book, Hesselbein on Leadership, she writes about the needs for leadership in the 21st Century.
Frances identified three challenges for leaders that have little to do with managing the enterprise's tangible assets and everything to do with monitoring the quality of :
- Leadership
- The workforce
- Relationships
She writes, "In the tenuous years that lie ahead, the familiar benchmarks, guideposts, and milestones will change as rapidly and explosively as the times, but the one constant at the center will be the leader. The leader will not be the leader who has learned the lessons of how to do it... The The leader for today and the future will be focused on how to BE---how to develop quality, character, mind-set, values, principles and courage."
She points out that the how to be leader knows that people are the organization's greatest asset and in word, behavior, and relationships she or he demonstrates this powerful philosophy. Frances also lives this philosophy. She long ago banned the traditional hierarchy, involving everybody. She leads with in a way that has always taken people out of the boxes of the old traditional organization chart and moved them into a more circular, flexible, and fluid management system that releases the energy and spirit of the people.
These are refreshing leadership qualities and concepts in the times when cuts are deep and layoffs massive ---- and people considerations more often last on the list, if considered at all.
The call-to-action for women is that we are here to use our strengths and gifts as leaders in a way that heals our marketplaces, workplaces, communities---and our homes, while bringing new levels of success at all levels. We can do this by being exemplary leaders----role models of character, mind-set, values, principles, sound judgment and courage, demonstrating through our word, behavior and actions the qualities we are working to develop for others.
Are you ready for this leadership calling?
How can you be a role model for others today?
Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
Home of Women in the Lead
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