Leaders who build things greater than themselves tend to see innovation as part of real world solutions. What you advocate here for leaders, appears opposite the current craze for personal branding – which often tends to translate into “preposterous ego.”

Thoughts?

I would also add the ability to build something that outlives them. The problem with most charismatic or great leaders is that if they die, or move, or leave the thing they built die, moves, and leaves with them.

Leaders that know how to build something greater than themselves are the best, in my mind.

Just yesterday I was talking to an organizational leader who wanted change but feared the old guard would never permit it to happen.

We just returned from working with a large organization and amazing leaders who have begun to take the risks for dynamic change. Already it’s paying off! People come to work with new zip – and amazingly new exhilaration for innovation and productivity!

Like you I’ve enjoyed Secretan and lately I’ve been impressed with Block’s new book on “community,” and the ways we can engage one another mutually rather than as top down. That’s how we run the MITA International Brain Center – and for us LEARNING IS DAILY. Thanks for adding your own wisdom today! Could it be the beginning of a new day?

Fascinating – isn’t it – how future-focused (or vision oriented) leadership depends on clear, actionable steps here and now to generate desired innovation? Our research shows the same thing – that today’s leaders must develop the capacity to draw and focus upon their vision of the future while acting in the present and helping others learn to do the same. Collaborative action seems also to be becoming a necessity – not something all old-style leaders find easy.

It’s like living with a foot in both worlds, and being the bridge between them, while loosening up or letting go of our old ideas of ‘control’.

Any chance you’ve tapped into Lance Secretan’s work on Leadership? http://www.secretan.com Brilliant stuff…