Title: Lessons for Our Newest President from Our Founding One
Want to delve deeper into the essence of leadership? Let's peek behind the curtain of leaders themselves, and there's no better time than now, as we witness the inauguration of a new leader in the United States.
As a 15-year adjunct professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University (2003-2018), I taught two master-level courses. One of my courses, titled "Executive Communication as a Leadership Tool," combined leadership theory, principles, and case studies with a strong focus on the primary leadership skill – communication. In our classes, we relied on James C. Rees' book "George Washington's Leadership Lessons."
We embraced this book for two reasons. First, I'd drowned in an ocean of leadership textbooks, and the idea of a "great leadership textbook" is as elusive as a unicorn. However, books about – or by – leaders have a far more significant impact.
Second, Rees' book is academically sound, historically accurate, and delightful to read. The best method for comprehending leadership is through understanding leaders, not through studying a textbook.
So, what makes this book so valuable? Let's discover the answer together.
Is It Skills or Characteristics?
The answer is intriguing. If you read Rees' work, you'll soon realize that he highlights fifteen crucial leadership traits necessary for a successful leader. These characteristics can be summarized as follows:
- Vision
- Honesty
- Ambition
- Courage
- Self-control
- Personal responsibility
- Determination
- Strong work ethic
- Good judgment
- Learning from mistakes
- Humility
- Research and development
- Value on presentation
- Exceeding expectations
- Heartfelt faith
As you examine these traits, you'll notice that they are not technical skills, but rather personal traits or "soft skills." Every single one of them, without exception.
The importance of these characteristics extends far beyond the classroom. Leadership roles are not solely awarded based on technical competency, but rather on who demonstrates these qualities best.
In my quest to define a leader, I found no satisfactory definition. So, I developed my definition, which was later augmented:
"A leader is someone who has – and articulates – a vision, creates change, and inspires others to reach mutual goals while creating more effective working relationships – all while setting the highest standards of ethical thought and behavior."
Once again, there's not a single technical skill in the definition, nor is there any mention of "hard skills." Instead, it emphasizes this unyielding truth – your effectiveness as a leader is not measured by your proficiency in your field, but rather by your ability to captivate and inspire others.
And in America, this opportunity to prove yourself arises every four years.
After recognizing the significance of personal traits in leadership, it's crucial to formulate an effective strategy to exhibit these qualities. A leader should not only possess vision and integrity but also demonstrate courage, self-control, and determination in their actions. By implementing a strategic plan that highlights these characteristics, a leader can inspire and guide their team towards achieving common objectives.
Moreover, during times of transition, such as a new leader's inauguration, the application of an engaging leadership strategy becomes even more imperative. By successfully implementing this strategy, the new leader can forge strong relationships, instill a sense of shared purpose, and ultimately, drive results in their new role.
