Leadership is a matter of how to be, not how to do it.
Interpretation
Leadership is defined more by character and presence than by actions alone.
Frances Hesselbein's quote emphasizes that true leadership stems from one's essence and being, rather than merely following a set of actions or strategies. Effective leaders embody the qualities and values they wish to promote, inspiring others through their very presence and approach to life.
In practice
In a corporate setting to inspire management to foster a positive workplace culture.
When people are speaking, they require our undivided attention. We focus on them; we listen very carefully. We listen to the spoken words and the unspoken messages. This means looking directly at the person, eyes connected; we forget we have a watch, just focusing for that moment on that person.
It takes courage for a leader to identify and confront self-imposed barriers, to put in place the personal strategies required to unleash the energy, innovation, and commitment to self-development.
Women are working for part or all of their adult lives now. The possibilities are limitless, but you need to prepare.
The real leader redefines or defines the mission in a very powerful way so that people understand it; it permeates the organization.
Leadership is not a basket of tricks or strategies or skills that you pull out. Leadership begins with the quality of the person.
Social-sector organizations have to be better managed than for-profit organizations... because they have no margin of error.
Most people don't like change. They revolt against it unless they can clearly see the advantage it brings. For that reason, when good leaders prepare to take action or make changes, they take people through a process to get them ready for it.
Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates.
Leaders should be reliable without being predictable. They should be consistent without being anticipated
Anytime you get an award as a coach, you've got to be the ultimate fool to think it wasn't your assistant coaches and all the players responsible for the award.
If something can be done 80% as well by someone else, delegate!
Great organizations demand a high level of commitment by the people involved. Eliminate politics, by giving everybody the same message. Keep a flat organization in which all issues are discussed openly. Empower teams to do their own things.
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