The Leadership Challenge

1. Leadership is about influencing others to achieve extraordinary results

Leadership is the art of mobilizing others to want to struggle for shared aspirations.

Leadership is influencing people. At its core, leadership is about moving people to action and inspiring them to give their best effort. It's not about formal position or authority, but rather the ability to motivate and guide others toward a common goal. Effective leaders tap into people's intrinsic motivations and help them see how their work contributes to a larger purpose.

Extraordinary results require extraordinary effort. Leaders challenge people to go beyond business as usual and achieve exceptional outcomes. This often involves:

• Setting ambitious goals
• Encouraging innovation and creative problem-solving
• Fostering a sense of shared commitment to the mission
• Helping people develop new skills and capabilities
• Recognizing and celebrating progress along the way

Leadership is ultimately measured by results. The best leaders inspire people to accomplish things they never thought possible.

2. Model the Way: Leaders clarify values and set the example

People first follow the person, then the plan.

Clarify your values. Exemplary leaders have a clear understanding of their own core values and beliefs. They take time for introspection to identify what matters most to them. This self-awareness allows them to act with authenticity and conviction. Leaders also work to find common ground with their constituents around shared values.

Set the example through your actions. People pay more attention to what leaders do than what they say. To build credibility, leaders must "walk the talk" and ensure their behaviors consistently align with their stated values. This includes:

• Making decisions that reflect core principles
• Following through on commitments
• Admitting mistakes
• Seeking feedback
• Demonstrating ethical conduct

Leaders teach others what's important through their daily actions and choices. They recognize that they are always "on stage" and model the standards of behavior they expect from others.

3. Inspire a Shared Vision: Leaders envision the future and enlist others

The most important role of vision in organizational life is to give focus to human energy.

Create a compelling vision. Leaders look beyond the present to imagine exciting future possibilities. They develop a clear, aspirational picture of where the organization or team is headed. Effective visions are:

• Forward-looking
• Idealistic
• Unique
• Image-based
• Conveyed with passion

Enlist others in the vision. It's not enough for leaders to have a vision - they must be able to communicate it in ways that inspire others to commit to it. This involves:

• Appealing to shared aspirations
• Connecting the vision to people's values
• Showing how the vision serves a larger purpose
• Using vivid language and imagery
• Expressing enthusiasm and genuine belief in the vision

Leaders breathe life into visions and help people see how they can be part of creating a better future.

4. Challenge the Process: Leaders seek opportunities and take risks

Not one person achieved a personal best by keeping things the same.

Seek opportunities for improvement. Leaders are constantly looking for ways to grow, innovate, and make things better. They:

• Question the status quo
• Stay curious and open to new ideas
• Look outside the organization for insights
• Encourage others to think creatively

Take calculated risks. Progress requires a willingness to experiment and try new approaches. Effective leaders:

• Create a climate that supports responsible risk-taking
• Start with small wins to build confidence
• Learn from failures and setbacks
• Approach challenges with a growth mindset

Leaders recognize that challenging the process is how organizations stay relevant and achieve breakthroughs. They inspire others to think big and reach for ambitious goals.

5. Enable Others to Act: Leaders foster collaboration and strengthen others

Exemplary leaders strengthen others, making each person feel capable and powerful.

Foster collaboration. Leaders create an environment of trust and facilitate positive relationships. They recognize that extraordinary results come through teamwork. Strategies include:

• Developing cooperative goals and roles
• Ensuring access to needed information and resources
• Structuring projects to promote joint efforts
• Modeling collaborative behaviors

Strengthen and empower others. Leaders enhance people's capacity to perform and lead. They:

• Provide challenging opportunities for growth
• Offer support and mentoring
• Ensure proper training and development
• Give people discretion and autonomy in their work
• Express confidence in people's abilities

By enabling others, leaders multiply their impact and build a more capable organization.

6. Encourage the Heart: Leaders recognize contributions and celebrate values

Encouragement is, curiously, serious business because it's how you visibly and behaviorally link rewards with performance.

Recognize contributions. Leaders show appreciation for individual excellence and team accomplishments. They:

• Set clear standards of performance
• Pay attention to people's efforts and progress
• Provide timely, specific positive feedback
• Use creative forms of recognition

Celebrate values and victories. Leaders create a spirit of community and shared commitment through celebration. They:

• Schedule regular times to acknowledge progress
• Tell stories that highlight core values in action
• Make celebrations part of the organizational culture
• Get personally involved in recognition events

Regular encouragement sustains people's motivation and reinforces desired behaviors. It helps create a positive, high-performing culture.

7. Leadership is a relationship built on credibility and trust

If you don't believe in the messenger, you won't believe the message.

Credibility is the foundation. People must believe in their leaders before they will willingly follow them. The key elements of credibility are:

• Honesty
• Competence
• Inspiration
• Forward-thinking

Build trust through your actions. Trust develops when leaders consistently demonstrate:

• Integrity - doing what you say you will do
• Benevolence - having others' interests at heart
• Competence - delivering results
• Predictability - behaving consistently

Leaders earn credibility and trust over time through their words and deeds. Without this foundation, they cannot effectively influence or lead others.

8. Anyone can learn to be an exemplary leader through practice

Leadership is an observable set of skills and abilities that are useful whether one is in the executive suite or on the front line.

Leadership can be learned. While some people may have natural leadership talents, the fundamental practices of exemplary leadership can be developed by anyone willing to put in the effort. Key steps include:

• Studying the practices of effective leaders
• Seeking out leadership roles and experiences
• Asking for feedback and reflecting on performance
• Finding mentors and role models
• Continually working to improve specific skills

Practice is essential. Like any skill, leadership improves with deliberate practice over time. Leaders must:

• Set specific goals for improvement
• Look for opportunities to apply new skills
• Learn from both successes and failures
• Be patient and persistent in developing capabilities

With commitment and effort, people at all levels can strengthen their capacity to lead others effectively.

9. Leadership development is self-development

The quest for leadership is first an inner quest to discover who you are.

Know yourself. Effective leadership starts with self-awareness. Leaders must understand their own:

• Values and beliefs
• Strengths and weaknesses
• Motivations and aspirations
• Leadership style and preferences

Develop yourself. Leadership growth requires ongoing personal development. Key areas include:

• Emotional intelligence
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking
• Ethical decision-making
• Resilience and adaptability

Be authentic. Leaders are most effective when they lead in a way that is true to who they are. This involves:

• Clarifying your core values
• Finding your voice as a leader
• Aligning your words and actions
• Being willing to be vulnerable

Leadership development is a lifelong journey of self-discovery and growth.

10. Leadership is everyone's business, not just those at the top

You don't have to be at the organization's apex, as CEO, president, general, or prime minister to be a leader.

Leadership happens at all levels. While those in senior positions have more formal authority, leadership opportunities exist throughout organizations. Everyone can:

• Take initiative to solve problems
• Inspire and motivate peers
• Model core values
• Contribute ideas for improvement
• Develop leadership skills for the future

Organizations need leaders everywhere. In today's complex, fast-changing world, relying on just a few leaders at the top is insufficient. Organizations thrive when they develop leadership capacity broadly and empower people at all levels to act as leaders in their roles.

Start where you are. You don't need to wait for a formal leadership position to begin leading. Look for ways to make a positive difference right where you are. Small leadership acts can have a big impact over time.

Last updated: January 22, 2025