There is some advice and counsel that passes the test of time. Peter F. Drucker, well-known as the father of modern management, left a lasting influence on my development as a leader. Today, his wisdom continues to guide leaders all over the world. Harvard Business Review celebrates his contributions in their November 2009 edition: The Drucker Centennial: What Would Peter Do? How his wisdom can help you navigate turbulent times.
Personally, I always loved his straight way of talking. I saw him once look out at an audience of many hundreds of people, all clinging to each word he spoke. He gave us that message you never forget:
"Make your contribution. Everything else is a diversion."
-- Peter F. Drucker
He also was very clear on the FOUR COMPETENCIES he thought every leader needed:
1. The willingness, ability and self-discipline to LISTEN. "Listening is not a skill; it is a discipline. Anybody can do it. All you have to do is to keep your mouth shut."
2. The willingness to COMMUNICATE, to make yourself understood.
3. RE-ENGINEERING MISTAKES. Being able to say, "This doesn't work as well as it should. Let's take it back and re-engineer it."
4. The willingness to realize HOW UNIMPORTANT YOU ARE compared to the task. "Leaders subordinate themselves to the task."
He reminded us about how great leaders see their role, "When effective leaders have the capacity to maintain their personality and individuality, even though they are totally dedicated, the task will go on after them. ...Otherwise they do things for personal aggrandizement, in the belief that this furthers the cause. They become self-centered and vain."
These four competencies are ones every leader would benefit from. Using them as your "yardstick" for self-assessment and ongoing renewal is a great idea, especially in these turbulent times. Ask yourself often --- perhaps at the end of each week --- How did I do this week LISTENING, COMMUNICATING, RE-ENGINEERING MISTAKES and SUBORDINATING my ego to the task at hand.
Warm regards to all,
Debbe
Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
www.globaldialoguecenter.com
Home of Women in the Lead
Twitter: @debbekennedy
Author...
Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership and High Performance
by Debbe Kennedy ▪ Berrett-Koehler ▪ 2008 – Hardcover
Foreword by Joel A. Barker, futurist, filmmaker and author
YouTube Book Review by futurist Joel A. Barker
(Source: The Daily Drucker: ...Insight and Motivation for Getting the Right Things Done)
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