Comments on: Sources of Leadership

By: February Leadership Development Carnival – Carnevale di Venezia Edition « TalentedApps

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:15:25 +0000

[...] Henry Sr. presents Sources of Leadership posted at Lead Change Group Blog, asking, “What is the source of your leadership [...]

By: Mike Henry Sr.

Mike Henry Sr. — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:44:56 +0000

Thanks Bud. The military analogy takes me to another favorite movie, Heartbreak Ridge. Even though you may not have the greatest “character,” when you lead from who you are, you generate trust. Gunny Highway (Clint Eastwood’s character) wasn’t the most respectable person but he was a character-based leader. You can only do that when you serve others. If you lead from “who you are” and you’re only doing it for yourself, eventually no one will follow you.

Thanks for the comment.
.-= Mike Henry Sr.´s last blog ..Applied Leadership =-.

By: Bud Coburn

Bud Coburn — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:29:56 +0000

Another great article Mike. I almost lost my cookies with the cousin Eddie example. Hilarious!

If you have ever been on active duty in the military it is easy to see the difference of someone that believes his leadership is based on his position or has leadership that is based on character.

The military has the enlisted ranks and the commissioned officer ranks. Almost everyone can enter the enlisted ranks if they choose. To enter the commission officer ranks it is by appointment and the lowest rank has more authority than the highest enlisted rank even if you have minimal or no leadership skills. Ever enlisted person is required to salute any commissioned officer out of respect for the position they hold. They are saluting the position and not necessarily the person. The most effective leaders (ones with character) will have their command with the highest discipline, morale and their troops will follow them into battle even to the point of giving up ones live for the greater good if needed. Those without character have commands that never function to their full potential. It often requires leaders like a Norman Schwartzkopf to step in an assume command of a unit to bring the unit up to it’s full potential. General Schwartzkopf spent his entire career taking units that were dis-functional and brought them up to their full potential. Due to his character he had the highest respect from his troops.

One side thought. The smartest and most effective commissioned officer will follow the instructions of the senior enlisted over the junior commissioned officer, while he works to bring the junior commissioned officer up to his full potential.

“Do the right thing for the right reasons.”

By: Dave Baldwin

Dave Baldwin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:53:20 +0000

Hey Mike thank you for another great post. You are right on! I wish I could attend the conference coming up on February, but alas have other things on my plate. It sounds like it will be a life-changing time for those who attend.
Character-based leadership reminds me a lot of transformational leadership. Lots of things in common.
Blessings,
Dave
.-= Dave Baldwin´s last blog ..Stay Focused: =-.

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 10:23:03 +0000

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by mikehenrysr: New post on Lead Change Blog: Sources of Leadership http://bit.ly/ak6b9r...

By: David Andrews

David Andrews — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:53:43 +0000

Hey Mike – great post.

There seems to be a lot of leadership blog traffic around on the character of leadership at the moment. Perhaps one day all leaders will be defined by the quality of their character and not just their popularity with the masses. Shades of Martin Luther King . . .

Regards, David
.-= David Andrews´s last blog ..What colour is your leadership? =-.

By: Dr. Ada

Dr. Ada — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:05:28 +0000

Great post! I agree that the best leadership is based on character. That is what brings authenticity. For me when a topic has been so popular lately it is a sign that there is a felt need for it.

I also agree with Gordon that it’s easier to blame than to assume responsibility. If we take responsibility for developing our character and leading from our authentic self, we can be role models in whatever capacity we are and hope for a ripple effect.

Looking forward to next post!

By: Mike Henry

Mike Henry — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:19:37 +0000

Dr. Ada, thanks for the great comment. My battle cry is going to be: “take responsibility instead of credit.” Those two words, “take responsibility” just ring in my eyes and ears every time I see them or hear them. That’s the key. Thanks!

By: Mike Henry

Mike Henry — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:13:09 +0000

Thanks for the comment Gordon. I appreciate how you linked it back to position. It is a little bit of a catch 22. If you’re a quality person of character, you get more authority so they move you into a higher position, where you must resist the temptation to relax and let your position hold the authority. Wow! I feel another post coming… Thanks again.

By: Mike Henry

Mike Henry — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:11:12 +0000

Thanks Erin. Thinking about “thinking outside the box,” to what extent does a leader let their team experience temporary failure by pursuing outside-the-box ideas? Just another outside the box thought for a future post. Thanks for leading me to think of it!