This week I want to wrap up a three-blog survey of the book Launching a Leadership Revolution by Brady and Woodword (2006). The book was a good read and I enjoyed the reinforcement it gave me regarding my style and many of the ways I lead the people entrusted to me. We began by talking about being a servant to those you lead, and then last week, about the importance of modeling the type of behavior you hope to have from your employees. I have stressed that the people we lead will take their cue about how to act from how their leader models it to them. This week I want to take a broader look at this book and share some of my thoughts on the value of the principles which are contained within its pages.
If I were to have to point to just one phrase that captures the overall message in the book, it would be the following statement made by Brady and Woodward: “Everybody can be a leader at something.” Now, before you start arguing that this statement is overly simple or perhaps even wrong, I want you to read it again and think about what it is saying. “Everybody can be a leader at something.” Let me point out that it is not saying that everyone is born a charismatic leader to whom people naturally flock. It isn’t saying that everyone can lead in any situation or that they can rise to the top of whatever organization they choose. No, it isn’t making any of the typical bullet points that one might find on a leadership job description. It is merely saying that there is potential in everyone to be a leader at something in their life.
Think about that for a moment. Isn’t it true that even the humblest of individuals can learn to be a leader of character, resolve, and wisdom for their family, work team, volunteer organization, or circle of close friends? Isn’t there the possibility that everyone can develop the skills to be even one step higher on the ladder of leadership? Not everyone will rise to the highest levels, but within their own unique and God-given giftedness, everyone can truly “lead at something.”
There are many great concepts in the book which an aspiring leader can learn and use as they step to each level of leadership which they desire to achieve, but I believe that the most important foundational premise that the authors present is that there is untapped potential in everyone which can be developed. Leaders, especial servant-leaders, have the wonderful opportunity and responsibility to invest themselves in the development of people, which helps the individuals, but also whatever organization or team they lead, and our general community as well.
I have spent my entire adult life investing in others. Whether it be a group of students in a performing arts training program, a group of volunteers preparing to present a large event, the band or the singers who will lead others in a worship service, or a friend or team member who is trying to find a better way to overcome a life challenge, I have always had a passion for being one to help, teach, empathize, and lead. When I was going through the research for my own personal leadership development, I found that this passion for developing others was a basic Emotional Intelligence competency, as outlined by Daniel Goleman, who states, “developing others lets a leader act as a counselor, exploring their goals and values and helping them expand their own repertoire of abilities.” There is nothing I enjoy more than helping others “expand their repertoire.” A few years back I crafted a mission statement for myself which says, “I desire to be a servant-leader who humbly uses my strengths, gifts, abilities, personality, and experiences with passion, authenticity and integrity to pour my life into helping other leaders achieve great things beyond their wildest dreams.” That same statement could easily be said of the authors of LLR, and I hope you feel the same way about the people in your life. I encourage you to join with me in acting on Brady and Woodward’s statement from above, “Everybody can be a leader at something,” and invest yourself in others’ development. You will find that it is much more rewarding, useful, and fun to be the leader when you have developed other leaders around you.
One last thing about LLR. I have made arrangements for this book to be easily available to you. Below is a link which will take you to a website from which you can order this book, as well as many other books on leadership. In addition, there are a wide range of leadership materials on many topics and in various mediums which you may want to check out. Some are individual resources, and some are subscriptions. Not all of it may be something for which you are personally looking or even interested in, but as I spent some time looking through the vast resources available, I found that some were quite interesting and helpful.
The link is www.life-training-home.com/
Once on the home page, use the PRODUCTS pull down, then go to the Products button, then scroll down to “Shop for Individual Products.” There you will see hundreds of books on leadership, including LLR. In order to order the book or other materials, you’ll have to register as a customer. I will vouch for them as I have received the products I have ordered without any problems, and the prices are competitive with other leadership materials. Enjoy.
See you next week. Lead well.