Launching A Leadership Revolution

1. Leadership is influence, not position or title

Leadership is influence—nothing more, nothing less.

Influence, not authority. True leadership stems from a leader's ability to influence others, not from their position or title. This influence is earned through character, competence, and relationships. Leaders inspire others to follow them willingly, rather than through coercion or formal authority.

Earned, not given. Leadership influence must be earned and continuously maintained. It's built on trust, respect, and the ability to articulate a compelling vision. Effective leaders understand that their influence grows as they develop their character, improve their skills, and nurture relationships with their team members.

Impact beyond position. Leaders can exert influence regardless of their formal role. Even those without official titles can lead by example, share knowledge, and inspire others to achieve common goals. This understanding of leadership empowers individuals at all levels to make a positive impact in their organizations and communities.

2. The Trilateral Leadership Ledger: Character, Tasks, and Relationships

A leader is only as good as the product of their character, task completion, and relationships.

Balanced leadership. The Trilateral Leadership Ledger emphasizes the importance of developing three key areas: character, task completion, and relationships. Effective leaders must excel in all three dimensions to maximize their influence and impact.

Multiplier effect. The ledger uses a multiplication formula (Character x Tasks x Relationships) to illustrate how these elements compound. A leader weak in any area will see their overall effectiveness severely diminished. For example:

• Strong character (8) + High task completion (9) + Poor relationships (2) = 144
• Balanced growth (6 x 6 x 6) = 216

Continuous improvement. Leaders should regularly assess their performance in each area and strive for balanced growth. This approach ensures that leaders don't neglect critical aspects of their development and helps them identify areas for improvement.

3. The Five Levels of Influence: From Learning to Developing Leaders

The highest level of leadership is developing leaders who can develop other leaders.

Ascending influence. The Five Levels of Influence provide a roadmap for leadership growth:

1. Learning: Acquiring knowledge and skills
2. Performing: Excelling in personal tasks and responsibilities
3. Leading: Guiding a team to achieve results
4. Developing Leaders: Mentoring others to become effective leaders
5. Developing Developers of Leaders: Creating a leadership culture

Compounding impact. As leaders ascend these levels, their influence grows exponentially. A Level 5 leader can impact an entire organization or even society by creating generations of effective leaders.

Continuous journey. Leaders don't abandon lower levels as they advance. Instead, they continue to learn, perform, and lead while taking on higher-level responsibilities. This ensures ongoing personal growth and maintains credibility with developing leaders.

4. The Cycle of Achievement: Vision, Goals, Planning, and Execution

Vision without execution is hallucination.

Iterative process. The Cycle of Achievement outlines the key steps for turning vision into reality:

1. Vision: Clearly defining the desired future state
2. Goal Setting: Establishing specific, measurable objectives
3. Game Planning: Developing strategies and tactics
4. Working: Executing the plan with focus and persistence
5. Seeking Counsel: Gathering feedback and adjusting course

Continuous improvement. Leaders should view this cycle as an ongoing process, constantly refining their vision, goals, and execution based on results and feedback. This approach allows for adaptability and continuous growth.

Balancing art and science. The cycle combines the art of leadership (vision, inspiration) with the science of management (planning, execution). Effective leaders must master both aspects to drive consistent achievement and progress.

5. Hunger, Hone-ability, and Honor: Foundational Qualities of Leadership

Leadership starts with a deep hunger to make a difference.

Hunger drives growth. A leader's ambition and desire for positive change fuel their journey. This hunger motivates continuous learning, improvement, and the pursuit of challenging goals.

Hone-ability enables adaptation. Leaders must remain teachable and open to feedback. This quality allows them to refine their skills, adapt to new challenges, and stay relevant in changing environments.

Honor builds trust. A leader's integrity, ethical behavior, and commitment to doing what's right form the foundation of their influence. Honor ensures that a leader's impact is positive and lasting.

Key components of these foundational qualities:

• Hunger: Vision, ambition, dissatisfaction with the status quo
• Hone-ability: Humility, curiosity, willingness to learn from others
• Honor: Integrity, ethical decision-making, keeping commitments

6. Effective leaders are lifelong learners and performers

Great leaders are great learners.

Curiosity fuels growth. Effective leaders maintain a voracious appetite for knowledge and new experiences. They actively seek out opportunities to learn from books, mentors, experiences, and even failures.

Deliberate practice. Leadership skills must be honed through intentional practice and reflection. Leaders should:

• Set specific learning goals
• Seek challenging experiences
• Regularly reflect on lessons learned
• Apply new knowledge to real-world situations

Performance matters. While learning is crucial, leaders must also deliver results. They build credibility and influence by consistently performing at a high level and helping their teams achieve goals.

7. Great leaders develop other leaders and create a legacy

The true measure of leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.

Multiplying impact. By developing other leaders, a leader exponentially increases their influence and the organization's capacity for success. This focus on leadership development creates a lasting legacy that extends beyond the leader's tenure.

Creating a leadership pipeline. Effective leaders:

• Identify potential leaders
• Provide mentoring and growth opportunities
• Delegate meaningful responsibilities
• Offer feedback and support
• Create systems for ongoing leadership development

Building a leadership culture. The highest level of leadership influence involves creating an environment where leadership development becomes ingrained in the organization's DNA. This ensures a continuous supply of capable leaders and sustained organizational success.

8. Leadership requires servant-hood, sacrifice, and persistence

Leadership is not about being in charge. It's about taking care of those in your charge.

Servant leadership. Effective leaders prioritize the needs of their team and organization above their own. They focus on empowering others and creating an environment where people can thrive.

Willingness to sacrifice. Leadership often demands personal sacrifices of time, energy, and sometimes personal gain. Leaders must be willing to put the mission and their people first.

Persistence in adversity. Leadership challenges are inevitable. Great leaders demonstrate resilience and determination in the face of obstacles, inspiring their teams to persevere.

Key attributes of servant leadership:

• Empathy and active listening
• Commitment to the growth of others
• Building community
• Stewardship of resources and trust

9. Communication and relationship-building are crucial leadership skills

The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.

Clear and compelling communication. Leaders must articulate their vision, expectations, and feedback in ways that inspire and align their teams. Effective communication includes:

• Active listening
• Tailoring messages to the audience
• Using multiple channels (verbal, written, visual)
• Ensuring understanding through feedback and dialogue

Building strong relationships. Leadership influence is built on trust and mutual respect. Leaders should invest time in:

• Getting to know team members personally
• Showing genuine care and concern
• Celebrating successes and supporting through challenges
• Creating opportunities for collaboration and team bonding

Emotional intelligence. Leaders with high emotional intelligence can navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, manage conflicts, and create a positive team culture.

10. Leaders confront reality, take responsibility, and drive results

It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.

Facing hard truths. Effective leaders have the courage to confront difficult realities, rather than avoiding or sugarcoating them. This honesty builds trust and allows for proactive problem-solving.

Taking ownership. Leaders accept responsibility for both successes and failures. They avoid blame and focus on learning from mistakes to improve future performance.

Results-oriented focus. While process and effort are important, leaders ultimately judge themselves and their teams on outcomes. They:

• Set clear, measurable goals
• Track progress and provide regular feedback
• Hold themselves and others accountable
• Celebrate achievements and learn from setbacks

Balancing short-term and long-term. Effective leaders drive immediate results while also investing in the capabilities and systems that ensure long-term success.

Last updated: October 5, 2024