Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The Art of Leadership
Hayes Roth, Class of ‘72University of Miami Career Leadership Webinar
November 12, 2014
What we’ll talk about today:
• What do great leaders do?
– Some heroes and observations
• How do you become one?
– The learning curve of leadership in four
not-so-easy steps
• Conclusions, questions & some suggested reading
2
“To err is human. To blame someone else shows management potential!”
-Anonymous
3
What Makes a Great Leader?
4
I mean this kind…
5
Not this kind
6
Do you have a favorite leader?Here are some of mine….
7
– Strong principles, vision and resolve
– Underestimated by everyone– Exceptional writer and
communicator– “Learned on the job;” willing to
change and adapt to new realities
– Listened to opposing views but took responsibility for the decision
– Compassionate, human touch– Legendary, self-effacing wit
7
– Determined, unwavering, and fearless
– Prolific writer, inspiring orator and powerful communicator
– Strategic visionary– Bold innovator; technological
pioneer– Undaunted by failure– Heard and answered to the voice
of his constituents– Penetrating wit
8
– First UK female Prime Minister – Clear vision and mission– Exceptional orator and debater– Fearless in her convictions– Bold thinker– Collaborative partner– Decisive and resolute, even if it
was the unpopular path– Acerbic humor
9
– “The Great Communicator”– Clear, unwavering vision– Understood that nothing is
accomplished without some compromise
– Underestimated throughout his life– and used it to his advantage
– Bold thinker; not afraid to be unpopular
– Persuaded even his enemies through charm, humor and clearly argued big ideas
10
– Creator and Chairman of Young & Rubicam Group
– Bold industry innovator – Conceived integrating marketing
communications services under one “roof” (YRG)
– Ambassador to Canada – Articulate, distinctive speaker and
writer– Fierce competitor but always a
gracious, self-effacing gentleman– Hired best talent and empowered
them to succeed– Always “We” vs. “I”
Ed Ney
11
What character traits did they share?
– Saw the “larger objective,” whatever the individual challenges, and stayed on course to its conclusion
– Persuasive communicators-- articulating big, complex ideas and ideals in clear, relevant terms
– Not afraid to try and fail– Built effective, loyal teams who transcended cultures, politics, agendas
and sometimes geographies– Connected personally with their constituents through genuine humanity
and engaging wit
In short… They inspired trust, confidence and tremendous achievement in those they led
12
How can we learn from and apply these exceptional traits in our own lives and careers?
Are they really teachable?
Do we even want to be leaders?
Or can these ideas simply help us just be better managers, partners and citizens?
But what about us mortals?
13
How can we learn from and apply these exceptional traits in our own lives and careers?
Are they really teachable?
Do we even want to be leaders?
Or can these ideas simply help us just be better managers, partners and citizens?
I believe the answer is “yes”
But what about us mortals?
14
Some possibly useful things I’ve learned from great leaders over 40
years in the marketing communications business.
15
Starting out
1. Listen and observe2. Learn and do your job well… and be curious about what
others are doing and why3. Earn the trust of those with whom you work
– “The Rule of the 98th Percentile”
Developing Leadership Skills
16
Starting out
4. Be open to other points of view– and learn from them– “The 10% Rule”– This applies to personal critique as well
5. Always seek new responsibilities (after demonstrating your ability to handle what you’ve got)
Developing Leadership Skills
17
Starting out
6. Be a good teammate– “The Rule of the Trench”
7. If you see something that needs fixing, recommend a solution… and offer to do that work yourself
8. Find a mentor– or mentors– you respect and watch how they do what they do: – What makes them successful? – How do they manage their teams?– How do they work with their clients?– How do they manage upwards?
Developing Leadership Skills
18
“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”
-Harry S. Truman
19
Developing Leadership Skills
Growing & Building
1. Learn to manage others• Directly
– Clear Direction w/specific deliverables & timing – Positive reinforcement along the way– Course correction where & when necessary– Remain open to new ideas & approaches
• Indirectly– Same as above, maintaining frequent communication– Keep their managers informed and share praise openly for
good work
• And don’t forget “Please” and “Thank you!”
20
Developing Leadership Skills
Growing & Building
2. Become the “Go to Guy/Girl”
– Be known as the person who takes on the tough assignments and sees them through successfully
– Build your “posse” – your trusted fellow professionals who will always come through for you and with you… and you for them!
– Make sure they get appropriate visibility and credit
21
Developing Leadership Skills
Growing & Building
3. Seek every opportunity to write and present– Leadership demands exceptional communications skills– If writing/speaking doesn’t come naturally, get training!
4. Look for new ways to add value– To your organization– To your clients– To your community
22
23
Developing Leadership Skills
Overcoming Adversity
1. When it all goes wrong…
• The inevitable set back (“Man plans, God laughs.”)• Learning from mistakes
– All failures are opportunities– No one is interested in excuses– There is only the path forward
24
Developing Leadership Skills
Overcoming Adversity
2. Reinventing yourself
– Applying the lessons of failure– Dealing with new realities– Rebuilding your personal “brand”– Setting new goals– Holding yourself accountable
25
“You will make money, you will lose money… and you will make money again. But if you lose your
reputation, you will never get it back.”
- Elias Mestel
26
Developing Leadership Skills
Taking the High Ground
1. Leading from Strength• The long-term view
- “The Old Sailor’s Rule”
2. Look for– and embrace– problems• Your job is now to help others solve them• “The sin of micro-management”
- You may still need to get your hands dirty… just don’t get stuck in the mud!
• Invest your time productively
27
Developing Leadership Skills
Taking the High Ground
3. Take Responsibility for your actions
- “Success has many authors; failure only one”- The Eisenhower Principle
28
“A big man can make you feel small, but a great man will make you feel ten feet tall!”
- Me (I think)
29
In sum
Leadership is learned… and earned
– Great leaders listen well and communicate clearly– Great leaders think big and long-term – Great leaders build loyal, effective teams through
inspiration and incentive– Great leaders stay the course and shake off failure– Great leaders take their goals very seriously, but not
themselves
30
In sum
Leadership is learned… and earned
Go be one!
We need you.
31
Some suggested reading
“Lincoln” by Gore Vidal (the “faction” precursor to Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals” history of the same events)
“Seven Pillars of Wisdom,” by T.E. Lawrence (or Michael Korda’s “Hero,” which is an excellent recent biography of Lawrence)
“Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant,” by U.S. Grant
“Reagan at Reykjavik” by Ken Adelman
Anything by or about Winston Churchill
Anything by David McCullough
32
