| On the cusp of a new presidency it's wise to | | | | The knowledge of Management. Just like the |
| recognize that Leadership is a privilege earned and | | | | words "Leader" and "Manager" are different, so |
| one that any Leader must seek for themselves. | | | | too is the skill set for each. The best description is |
| And in order to be a Leader, one must have | | | | one attributed to both Peter Drucker and Warren |
| knowledge. | | | | Bennis. "Management is doing things right; |
| Abe Lincoln wrote "There is but one wealth, one | | | | Leadership is doing the right things." Not having |
| security on this earth and that is found in the | | | | knowledge of how Management works is just |
| ability of a person to perform a task well. And | | | | plain dangerous to your career and others. |
| first and foremost this ability must start with | | | | The knowledge of strategic planning. The ability to |
| knowledge." | | | | plan is highly prized. It is a mixture of information |
| These words ring true even today, over a 100 | | | | gathering, reasoning and forecasting. It is factually |
| years later. | | | | based. It is not "fortune telling" although every |
| So, what knowledge will be important to today's | | | | great Leader has had some ability in this area. |
| Leaders tomorrow? And the next year? | | | | Strategic planning is making sure the future |
| The knowledge to communicate and | | | | happens. |
| communicate assertively. This knowledge is not | | | | The knowledge of organization. Leaders and |
| dependent on a persons desire to subjugate | | | | Managers are constantly organizing people, |
| others, rather it is based on the desire to get | | | | products, resources, budgets, facilities and |
| things done in an orderly and efficient manner. | | | | support. The Leader who masters this |
| When we communicate effectively it breeds | | | | organization process will consistently outperform |
| confidence in the Leader and in the team. Without | | | | other Leaders because he or she will have |
| it, teams function poorly, if at all. | | | | anything they need in order to Lead at their |
| The knowledge of self discipline. This knowledge is | | | | fingertips. |
| one persons individual recognition that in order to | | | | The knowledge of self education. Although not a |
| get where they want to go they might have to | | | | real skill set, Leaders who are not practicing self |
| give up immediate pleasure and pride in order to | | | | education will soon find themselves behind, |
| realize substantial professional and personal gains. | | | | outpaced and eventually replaced. The Leader |
| And, they give up this immediacy willingly. | | | | who is continually upgrading themselves is the |
| The knowledge of emotional behaviors. Humans | | | | Leader in front. This one area is often one |
| are emotional and this emotion drives nearly | | | | neglected. The biggest reason...time. |
| every behavior. Leaders who are not studying | | | | Let me ask you a qualifying question. Are you |
| these natural forces of man are missing the area | | | | working with Windows 95 on your computer? Of |
| of greatest influence they have over man and | | | | course not, so why would it be ok to be a Leader |
| woman alike. The man or woman who recognizes | | | | without upgrading your knowledge? |
| the power of emotional behaviors and makes it a | | | | Be like Abe Lincoln and get the knowledge you |
| cornerstone of their Leadership will by far be the | | | | need. |
| strongest Leader in any organization. | | | | |