Most leadership writers try to give their readers a model for action that will help these leadership readers become more effective and efficient. However, no model is perfect. Unanticipated events or people reactions are not often included in these leadership paradigms. This posting will look at thirteen consequences related to leadership response. Leaders need to be realistic and react in a flexible manner as events unfold in different contexts. Here are thirteen reality-based leadership lessons:
- Not all team members do the work.
- It is your managers that make you like your job.
- Most people don’t change. The weaknesses remain. Play to the person’s strengths.
- Lists and steps don’t solve problems but can guide actions that are process-based.
- Talent and competency guide action. Talent can only be enhanced but not taught.
- Not all leaders are the same.
- No matter how good a job you do, you can still lose your job.
- Training does not give you all the answers.
- All plans lead to unexpected results.
- Don’t expect politicians or elected or appointed officials to value what you do.
- Resilience is the secret weapon of leadership.
- People don’t want change and they use budget to justify their resistance.
- Age is not a good reason to dump professionals on the trash heap.
Perhaps my readers can add reality-based lessons to this list.
Rowitz On Leadership 