If you are looking for the latest discussion of Napoleon, Nicholas Rostov, Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, Pierre Bezukhov, Natasha Rostov, or Princess Helene, you’ve googled the wrong War and Peace. Tolstoy needed four volumes to tell the of the disastrous 1812 Russian invasion as the backdrop for the tangled personal lives of two aristocratic families.
We’ll identify the qualities and behaviors of a Rare Leader™ during Times Of Peace, and also during Times Of War, in a more abbreviated fashion. So, why not read on.
Beginning in the later 1980’s, I realize I had switched my learning emphasis from technical topics such as labor negotiation strategies, self funded underwriting of medical benefit plans, or regulations relative to the financial securities industry. My study interests shifted towards a discovery of why people are successful, and more specifically, who leads people to success...and how?
We were coming off an explosion of interest in China. Venture capitalism, technology, and restructuring the corporation were the rage. But there was not really a focus on the competencies of leadership. Historically, Leadership had grown out of the top producer being awarded from great achievements in sales, engineering, or finance with a promotion to the coveted corner office.
Leadership was ill defined, and success in the roaring 90’s came a bit easier when the economy and business was good. These Leaders were leading in Times Of Peace.
I have read many books on Leadership. Perhaps too many. Early on, theories of Collaborative Leadership emerged, encouraging skills and attributes for cross boundary success. Interpersonal connections were replacing formal systems of process. After all, who would argue against the common theory of “two heads are better than one”?
When the economy was strong, business was going well, and growth came as a natural progression, collaborative Leadership became a hallmark of success. Transparency, open door policies, long term strategic planning, delegation, team building and even more theories expounded upon in the leading business books, encouraged this style of collaborative open decision making while in Times Of Peace.
Hello Recession...The times are a changing. More, and more I see successful organizations able to react tactically, as they continue to find new avenues of success. But with the problem solving process shortened, and economic challenges demanding fast decisive decisions, Leaders find themselves altering their behaviors of leading others.
Sometimes, Leaders simply have to make decisions on their own. This does not encourage a fall back to closed door meetings with secret agendas. But it does encourage more strategic preparedness and interaction between key employees helping to prepare their Leader to be more decisive on behalf of the Team in these Times Of War. Preparation, open discussions, careful research, communication, and support of individual decisions have become the bugle of a new call to arms.
A new competency of leadership has emerged. The Rare Leader™ who has balance, poise, and ability to maintain composure through ups and downs, and knows when to apply intellectual intelligence and maturity can Lead in times of both War and Peace. The Rare Leader™ can not only differentiate between the two, but has the ability to draw upon both skill sets when needed, to Lead others.
Do you have this level of Emotional Stability as a Leader?
- Who do you know that can lead effectively in times of both War and Peace?
- What can you do to build your competencies to lead to during both Peace and in these times of War?
- Where do you see success from Leadership in times of War?
- When will you switch your style of leadership for these times of War?
- How do you switch from the attributes of leadership during peace, to the skills needed to lead in these times of War?
If you want to learn more about the Rare Leader™ in you,
or if you are interested in retaining Steve as your Executive Coach,
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