To me, leadership has never been about a position or a title. It’s about what you do … but more more importantly, it’s about what you accomplish.
I’ve always believed “trying” was overrated. I know too many people who have been trying really hard for a really long time. And somehow they expect all kinds of accolades for their efforts. But effort doesn’t count – not in the real world.
Results are the the only things that count.
I’ve been leading companies, organizations, and churches for as long as I remember. When I was sixteen, I started Landscape Unlimited, my first business. My dream was to become a nationally renowned landscape architect. But in 1975 my country called and to the Air Force I went. When I returned from overseas, I’d learned a lot about life … and especially about leadership. I saw good leadership, I saw terrible leadership, but not once did I see great leadership. Most of the “leaders” had a position that gave them followers that they could order around. But around seems to be where my squadron, my branch of service, and my government seemed to be going.
I began to get a glimpse at the core of leadership failure. It wasn’t something new: “Without a vision, the people perish.”
Great leadership demands great vision. And what I experienced was vision-less leadership. There was a job to do and the leaders did their jobs. But we didn’t get anywhere.
And so I turned from the military to business. And don’t you know, I discovered the same thing. Lots of adequate leadership, but there were few great leaders.
Disillusioned, I returned to church. Three degrees and over thirty years later I can tell you that the church is suffering the same fate. The church was the one place I expected to find leaders filled with vision and hope.
But alas, it wasn’t so.
And so years ago I began coaching and training leaders how to lead boldly. And though leadership is a many-faceted diamond, at the heart of every great leader is a compelling vision and a rock-solid commitment to the organization’s mission.
My latest book, If You’ve Got to Herd Cats, You’ll Need a Big Mouse is a leadership manifesto and a roadmap to visionary leadership that makes no excuses and takes no prisoners. It’s not available in bookstores yet, but you can catch some of the excerpts here.
Interested in becoming a great leader … or in raising up great leaders in your organization?
- I have a few leadership coaching slots available in 2016
- I’m available for onsite consulting for non-profits, churches, and businesses
- I’m available for public speaking, keynotes, workshops, seminars, and retreats
I’d love to talk to you about your leadership potential in your organization. Click the Let’s Talk button and let’s set up a time to have a conversation.
