Action Over Authority: 4 Ways to Rethink Leadership
Exploring the Core Actions That Define Effective Leadership
Ask ten business leaderswhat makes a great leader, and you’re likely to get twenty different answers. Despite the mountain of books and articles on leadership, there’s no real consensus on what traits make a leader great.
One thing, however, does stand out across literature: Leadership isn’t just about mastering a list of qualities. It’s more about what you do than who you are.
Ronald Heifetz of Harvard University and author of “Leadership Without Easy Answers” writes extensively about how we can forget about leadership being about high positions or personal traits, and instead consider that it’s actually about getting things done. It’s the action that counts.
Harry J. Bruce, who once led the Illinois Central Railroad, adds to this by busting some common leadership myths. He says that having authority, being the first to do something, or being seen as a role model doesn’t automatically make you a leader. Real leadership is about influencing others to achieve a goal together, not just holding a title or being an inspiration.
So as you contemplate your leadership style, here are four things to keep in mind:
