I was pleased at the number and type of reponses I received regarding
my earlier posting regarding leadership, followership, ownership, etc. I
am delighted to see that the participants are challenging traditional
mental models to foster an era of "emergent phenomenon", "facilitative
leadership", "personal mastery", and "distributed leadership." I will be
meeting with the doctoral cohort this weekend and will share your thoughts
with the group.
Numerous postings have reminded me also of the work of Dr, William
Cohen and the art of being a leader. Dr. Cohen states that true leaders
know that the art of leading is only a matter of knowing five basic
precepts:
1. Take risks. A turtle can't move forward unless
it sticks its nect out - just as a leader must
2. Be innovative. A leader must learn to think on
his or her feet.
3. Have high expectations. Studies show that the
higher your expectations for the performance of
workers, the greater the result.
4. Be positive. You can have success if moral is high;
failure if it is low. Remember, though, high morale
doesn't spring from airy positive thinking. It comes
from having a clear and important goal to strive for.
5. Get out in front. You've got to lead by pulling, not
pushing - lead by example.
We could probably add to and debate any of the five precepts. I agree
with some - and disagree with others.
Thank you again for your responses and I look forward to future
postings on the subject of leading a learning organization.
Pete
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__(*)/' (*)_______________________________________________
| |
| Peter L. Heineman, Manager of Contract Training |
| University of Nebraska at Omaha |
| College of Continuing Studies |
| 1313 Farnam Street |
| Omaha, NE 68182-0335 |
| (402) 595-2340 FAX (402) 595-2345 |
| Internet: pheineman@unomaha.edu |
|_________________________________________________________|
You will become as small as your
controlling desire; or as great as your
dominant aspiration.
James Allen