Small class. Eight people. Eleve after late shows. At least two other guys are in several other classes with me; they’re both on eighteen hour schedules, too. Makes sense that we’d start to concentrate here at the end.Professor is Dr. Robert E. Easley.
Apparently Dr. Easley teaches much the same material to a graduate level class. Different research requirements. Class is patterned after a Harvard class, apparently.
Easely previously worked at NASA as director of procurement and contracting.
Communication with Easely needs to happen by email, not WebCT. Email is on the syllabus.
Leadership occurs in context. Leadership in a fast-moving business is different from leadership in a slow-moving industry, which is different from leadership in a military or government context.
Biggest chunk of our grades is going to be presentations on particular leaders, done as pairs. That’ll be elaborated on next week.
Onward.
The biggest factor good leaders have in common is self-confidence. See Jack Welch. Confidence is critical, and if it’s not adequate right now, start working on it right now.
Are leaders born or developed? Some of both, but most of the emphasis nowadays is on developing.
Leadership Vs. Management
- Managers control people by pushing them in desired directions
- Leaders motivate people by satisfying their needs.
Tenets of Leadership
- Leaders manage not simply by directive, but by persuasion, motivation, and empowerment. They identify and gain commitment to a vision
- Leaders manage not only individual performance but group performance. WE not I. They create appropriate organizational context. It’s powerfully demotivating when leaders hog credit/responsibility.
Practices of the Effective Executive
- Manage your time
- Focus your efforts on making contributions
- Make your strengths productive
- Concentrate your efforts on those tasks that are most important to contributions
- Make effective decisions.
Popular Myths About Leadership
- Everyone can be a leader — Not true. Not everyone has the skills or desires.
- Leaders deliver business results — Not always.
- People who get to the top are leaders — Not necessarily. Battlefield promotions don’t always pick leaders
- Leaders are great coaches — rarely
Prime Qualities of Leadership Character
- Self Confidence
- Willingness to accept responsibility
- Patience
- Empathy
- Ability to live with imperfect solutions
- Balanced view of personal motivations, abilities, and limitations