Leading By Experience

Matthew shares with us how he was thoroughly tested as a field-leader over the past fortnight. He made several astute observations and identified with many leadership qualities and models.

He summarized the following leadership lessons on his blog:

1. Leadership by example

2. Personal competencies

3. Listen and learn

My interpretation of these salient points is such: There are many things you can bring to your professional table. For instance, as an expert in your hobby, you can bring your confidence and Expert Power into your leadership. Like it, or like it more we have to regularly demonstrate our competence, clarity and confidence into our profession. It is not always about how much you know, but also how much you know of your team. Know-how should meet know-who to make sense and meaning for others.

A manager of a celebrity performer-husband can also wield her leadership through her ability to organize a large-scale event while reassuring the star (Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne). Both men and women can develop acute listening skills, and show empathy and sensitivity to people around them. Award-winning educator, Ron Clark (2001 Disney Teacher of the Year) suggested in one of his 55 rules: ‘If you are asked a question in a conversation, ask a question in return.’

Leadership Lessons: This is a commendable leadership lesson gathered after many months for a student of contemporary leadership. The wisdom of hindsight, married with realizations and reflections can reveal many insights and even ‘Eureka’ moments. Through time, our experiences and learning may allow us to develop foresight, and the ability to identify patterns and apply systems thinking.