Three Minute Leadership- A Leader’s Greatest Things
To: The Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning
In a recent article, A Leader’s Greatest Things, John Maxwell, answers a leadership question that is frequently posed to him: “What is the one thing I really need to know about leadership?” To this question he responds with beautiful simplicity: “The one thing you need to know to become a great leader…is that there’s more than one thing you need to know about leadership!” His point, he says, is: “There are no shortcuts [o ‘secret sauce’] to the top.” Maxwell shares his list of “a leader’s greatest ‘things.’”
1. The Leader’s Greatest Victory — Victory over Self – “As Plato wrote, ‘the first and best victory is to conquer self….. Whereas followers tend to think of themselves first, leaders have learned to put others ahead of themselves.”
2. The Leader’s Greatest Asset — Confidence – “Only those who believe in themselves have enough optimism to see the best in those around them. Self-confidence breeds confidence in others.”
3. The Leader’s Greatest Weight — Final Responsibility – Great leaders are fully accountable and take complete ownership for everything that they do.
4. The Leader’s Greatest Discipline —Taking Time to Think – “Our lives today are a result of our thinking yesterday, and our lives tomorrow will be determined by what we think today.”
5. The Leader’s Greatest Handicap — Pride – “Pride gives people an overinflated sense of their own importance and causes them to devalue the contribution of others.”
6. The Leader’s Greatest Opportunity — Today – “We have a tough time forgetting opportunities that have slipped through our fingers…. the more we relive the past, the further we drift from today’s opportunities.
7. The Leader’s Greatest Loss — Hope – “Hope is a power that … energizes us with excitement and anticipation as we look forward to the future.”
8. The Leader’s Greatest Mistake — Putting Self before Others – “… Success is determined by the seeds we sow, not by the harvest we reap.”
9. The Leader’s Greatest Prayer — Wisdom – “Lifelong learners have an edge over the competition, for they’re constantly acquiring new skills and insights that others lack the energy and discipline to obtain.
10. The Leader’s Greatest Joy — Adding Value to Others – “What truly lasts is the legacy we etch into the lives around us. What brings the greatest joy and satisfaction is enriching the lives of those we love by adding value to them.”
What a magnificent list of inspiring greatest ‘things!’ The words speak of the great leaders’ ownership of their life, and the values that are important to them in achieving their life’s purpose.
They also offer us a pause for reflection about what we would put on our own ‘greatest thing’ list. What ‘greatest thing’ would be different? What ‘greatest thing’ is missing that should be added? Pause a moment to revisit Maxwell’s list. What additional ‘great thing’(s) would take you, and those whom you serve, to new levels of greatness as you become more than you ever dreamed you could be? Please take care. Life is so very good.
Have a beautiful day and a magnificent week!!!
Mike