Leadership - What Makes You Different?

As a leader, what makes you different? What makes you stand out? What do you bring to your team that no other leader has?

I was asked the question "What makes you different as a professional working on leadership development issues?" a few months ago by a prospective client a few months ago. I guess that my answer set me apart as they are a new client now.

As I reflected on my own journey about what has set me apart, earlier as a leader, now in my work with organizations, I realized that being a leader is often about deviating from the common path. As a 26 year old young woman I was tasked in leading a team of 100 staff and volunteers in the jungles of South America in the mid-90s. A lot of my seniors had their doubts. I look back at a very intensive 18 month period at the head of that project as rich with learning and setting the foundation for my later success. It taught me a lot about what I was capable of, and when it was critical to step back and let the team thrive as well. That was not always the most popular way of leading even 15 years ago, AND it worked. As a leader you can't do it all! Knowing about what makes you different, and not being afraid of "owning" that is key.

What sets you apart as a leader? What do you notice about where you are different? How that is enabling you, and perhaps holding you back at times?

As always, I'd welcome your thoughts and comments!

Have a great week,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
Phone: 416.996-TEAM
Email: info{at}potentialsrealized{dot}com

Leadership - Vision

What's the vision for your work? Where do you want to be 6 months from now? 1 year from now? 3 years from now? What about your vision for your team?

It is quite easy to get caught up in the short term and urgent priorities which take our eyes off the horizon and pull us squarely into the hear and now.

Leadership vision is a critical success factor in today's marketplace. Here is what a number of writers have to say on vision:

" Vision is the art of seeing the invisible" - Jonathon Swift

"If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left if compromise" - Robert Fritz

"Nothing stops and organization faster than people who believe that the way you worked yesterday is the best way to work tomorrow" - Jon Madonna

"Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality" - Warren Bennis

Consider these questions moving forward:
- What is your strength as it relates to vision?
- Where would you like to be 6 months from now? 1 year from now? 3 years from now?
- What will it take to lead from vision?

Have a great week,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley 2010)
Potentials Realized