The year of leadership

Recently we taped a short video titled Developing Marketing Leadership - 3 Tips From a Pro. In that blog post I mentioned I have made 2011 the year of leadership. I’m taking every opportunity to learn, mentor and become a better leader—by any means possible. My theory? I believe good marketers can become great leaders. Marketers are prime for the picking because marketing, at its core, is about a strategic view of markets and realizing potential. Great marketing must be analytical and must use all of the data and tools available to have any chance at success.

My challenge is not to identify the good marketers that could become great leaders, but to inspire all our marketers and help the leaders identify themselves.

Philosophy to inspire leadership

So I’ve gone about researching and developing a philosophy to inspire leadership. One of the way’s I’ve done this is through a copious amount of reading. I delight in fact-based learning from people who have done their homework. Some of my favorite authors on this subject are Jim Collins of Good to Great fame; and Kouzes and Posner, founders of The Leadership Challenge. The Leadership Challenge, based on 30 years of global research, has proven that leadership has not materially changed over time, only the context in which it is practiced.

Ten truths about leadership

In their recent book, The Truth about Leadership: The No-fads, Heart-of-the-Matter Facts You Need to Know, Kouzes and Posner boil down their research to Ten Truths about Leadership. Here they are:

Truth #1 You Make a Difference.
Truth #2 Credibility Is the Foundation of Leadership.
Truth #3 Values Drive Commitment.
Truth #4 Focusing on the Future Sets Leaders Apart.
Truth #5 You Can’t Do It Alone.
Truth #6 Trust Rules.
Truth #7 Challenge Is the Crucible of Greatness.
Truth #8 You Either Lead by Example or You Don’t Lead at All.
Truth #9 The Best Leaders Are the Best Learners.
Truth #10 Leadership Is an Affair of the Heart.

My favorite leadership truths

My three favorites? Truth #4, Truth #7, and Truth #10. In further detail, here’s how they are described:

Truth #4 Focusing on the Future Sets Leaders Apart. You have to be forward looking; it’s the quality that most differentiates leaders from individual contributors. You need to spend time reflecting on the future. Big dreams that resonate with others inspire and energize.

Truth #7 Challenge Is the Crucible of Greatness. Great achievements don’t happen when you keep things the same. Change invariably involves challenge, and challenge tests you. It introduces you to yourself. It brings you face-to-face with your level of commitment, your grittiness, and your values. It reveals your mindset about change.

Truth #10 Leadership Is an Affair of the Heart. Leaders love what they’re doing and those they lead. Leaders make others feel great themselves and are gracious in showing their appreciation.

Difference between management and leadership

To me, Truth #4 provides the answer to the age-old question, What’s the difference between management and leadership? People need their leaders to be forward looking and able to set a course for the future. This ‘future focus’ is the source of inspiration and energy for the organization. It is a leaders responsibility to learn, analyze, and finally, do their best to predict the future.

And this brings me straight back to my challenge: How can I inspire all our marketers and help the leaders identify themselves? I’ll begin by:

1. Challenging myself and others to achieve greatness
2. Loving what I do and believing in myself and others around me
3. Focusing on the future and providing a compelling vision

What are your leaders doing to inspire you?