Become A Leader: Understand Your Life Story

Posted by Michael R.H. Stewart on July 9, 2010 · 2 Comments

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Over the last decade, the myriad problems in U.S. business suggest that a new type of leader may be needed. Clearly, the problems can be dramatic, long-lasting, and debilitating to a company if they are not resolved — and the leaders who are confronting them are finding that old solutions are no longer working.

If a new type of leader, armed with new solutions is required, where will he come from? What skills must he possess? What is the first step toward becoming a new leader who can impact the company’s results for a sustained period?

A few years ago, in an attempt to discover new leadership solutions, author and Harvard Business School professor Bill George conducted the largest leadership development study ever undertaken. The results were interesting.

After interviewing 125 business leaders from diverse racial, religious, national, and socioeconomic backgrounds, the results suggested that:

You do not have to be born with a specific set of traits in order to lead.
You do not have to be at the top of your profession or company to provide quality leadership.
Essentially anyone can be a leader.

The results were interesting in one other particular: The first step toward becoming a leader is to understand your life story.

The study suggested that new leaders must:

Frame their stories in ways that allow them to learn from their experiences.
Take sufficient time to examine their experiences and to reflect on them.
Work hard at developing self-awareness through persistent and often courageous self-exploration.
Studiously avoid the denial that can be the greatest hurdle to effective leadership.
Ask for, and listen to, honest feedback.
Use formal and informal support networks to help them stay grounded and lead integrated lives.

Few would argue that achieving business results, over a sustained period of time, is the ultimate mark of leadership. However, the concept that achieving those results begins with introspection is a remarkable idea. If all leaders began their journey in this way, how much more socially responsive, ethical and ultimately successful would American business become? If all responsible management looked inward first, what striking changes in the way business is conducted might occur? How many companies would regard “doing something that matters” as a primary objective? Would we finally see the end of the exculpatory news conference? Would unconscionable profits from damaging products finally disappear from the headlines?

It would be exciting and revolutionary to watch.

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About Michael R.H. Stewart
"Give me faith, freedom, resources, and a little time ... and I will make things happen that matter." Michael R.H. Stewart is a respected Internet executive with broad experience in all aspects of online business, with an emphasis given to social networking development, and company management. He has over 65,000 engaged Twitter followers (http://twitter.com/jerichotech). He enjoys 20 years of direct experience with corporate, entrepreneurial, governmental and non-profit clients, having advised them on all aspects of their online initiatives. Prior to his Internet career, he served as a Senior Vice President of AIG Marketing, doing business in 135 foreign countries as well as the United States. Stewart is an experienced public speaker and communicator, with worldwide experience; an expert on corporate branding; an accomplished writer (his new book, Trajectory, is being published in January, 2012), a creative thinker and problem solver.