"The True Hallmark of Leadership"-

I recently picked up my old college copy of Don Quixote. I opened the first page to see my name scribbled in blue ink and my address. It brought me back a couple decades to the carefree life of the 1980's before the internet, cell phones, and reality t.v. We all had more time to read the classics without the hypermedia distractions. We had more time to contemplate the trigger of self invention as the true hallmark of leadership. Miguel Cervantes places a huge burden of self invention on his hero Don Quixote,a middle aged, unmarried man, content to live a quiet life surrounded by books. Don Quixote begins a quest at a time in life when most people of his age where settled into a sedentary life. Instead, the knight and his sidekick Sancho embark on an adventure to discover worlds that will challenge, inspire and test the limits of human imagination. Leadership is a quest for excellence. And our ability to embrace self invention is an opportunity to discover our ability to influence others to believe in our vision.

Overfunctioning Leadership

Roberta M. Gilbert addresses the phenomenon of overfunctioning in her book, "Extraodinary Leadership"

"How Do You Cultivate Authenticity?"

In my ODL program we talked about authenticity. My interpretation of leadership authenticity is to say what you mean and mean what you say. Ultimately, it takes a great deal of integrity to cultivate a level of authenticity in word and deed that amounts to what Jim Collins refers to in his book, Good to Great as level 5 leadership. " Which according to author Jim Collins is the highest echelon of leadership achievement. amounts to takes a great deal of integrity to accomplish this right? But, that takes courage and discipline and a damn good memory. Which leads me to the question, "How do you cultivate authenticity"? In other words, how do you change a culture of cynicism into one of authenticity? How do you inspire committment and action with authentic communication? It really comes down to the engagement of the leader to listen, to demonstrate integrity and inspire trust. It is a great deal to ask of a leader. But, as a change agent within an organization, authenticity is the most critical component. I recently picked up a book by Terry Pearce called "Leading Out Loud"

Leadership Meterology

Storm systems aren't just for meterologist to analyze and explain. In business there are storms on the horizon and competent leadership is the bell weather.

The Wishbone: Women in Leadership.

This weekend I attended the Maryland Career Development Association Conference in Bowie, Maryland. As a new member, this was my initiation and I did not know what to expect from a fledgling organization, that is empowering individuals to provide excellence in career services and counseling within the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia.
The initial draw for me was the appearance of Cheri Bulter, the current president of the NCDA as the keynote speaker. Cheri Butler is a woman in an important leadership position, her role as President of the National Career Development Association is to move the organization forward with strategies to increase membership, develop new compentencies for the career development facilitator program, collaborate with other organizations like NACE. And,to paraphrase the words of Cheri Bulter, to ultimately find a way to express to our lawmakers that career development and job readiness is crucial to the workforce development of the United States of America.

If you would like to learn more about Cheri Butler or the NCDA visit http://www.ncda.org

The second highlight of the conference was marked by Karen James Chopra, an entrepreneur that provides career counseling for mid career professionals in the Washington, D.C area. Karen talked openly about starting her own business after leaving the security and predictability of a government job. She started the meeting off with a guided imagery session in which each of us envisioned what our own business would look like. This was a relaxing activity to delve into our entrepreneurial spirit and contemplate the details of owning our own destiny and earning potential with self employment. It was a fantasy within our control, delicious and empowering, at least initially. However, Karen brought us back to reality and allowed each of use to express our fears about starting our own business. Yet, she tackled each objection with passion, poise and expertise. I was amazed at her level of ingenuity and practicality. I understood why she has the level of success that requires a three month wait just to meet with her. She expressed the possibilities in taking a leadership role in our own destiny and becoming an entrepreneur.

You can learn more about Karen James Chopra at her website, http://www.chopracareers.com

The last highlight of the conference was Ebony Tara Scurry, a young women with leadership competencies that are far beyond her years. An engaging speaker, captivating in her pitch and style, Ebony created a career management company with a niche market focusing on individuals that she describes as having "a HUGE creative streak looking to make more money and enjoy more of their lives quickly and with less effort." She cleverly markets herself by attending professional conferences and networking with other counselors. She openly shared her challenges and asked others to talk about their clients and what needs to be done to hold it together and provide continuing hope in a depressed economy.

If you would like to know more about Ebony, visit her website, http://www.eidoloncareersolutions.com/

And let's not forget about my friend and mentor, Dr.Janet Wall. She always jokes that her introduction takes longer than her presentation. Janet's accomplishments have the depth and breadth of a bonafide, born leader. Her technology skills and the compulsion to share them, free of charge, with all of us is a true gift. I am amazed at the buzz in the room after Janet presents, everyone knows that her research has provided them with the tools to help more clients and organize their own lives.

If you would like to learn more about Janet Wall and her accomplishments or work with her on a CDF certification, visit her website at http://sites.google.com/site/cdfprogram/ or email Janet at careerfacilitator@earthlink.net


At the end of the day I was tired, yet inspired by the contributions of all the speakers. My drive back to Philadelphia, found me deep in thought and very satisfied by the experience of making new friends and sharing new ideas. Women, especially those in leadership postions are very good at sharing. Their selfless nature and empowering spirit at gatherings such as the MCDA conference makes me proud to be affilitated with career practitioners that are the best in their field. Women in leadership positions that share their experience and knowledge do it to bring us all forward, to strengthen our future, to share in the possiblilities, to embolden the legacy of their time at the helm. There is a favorite leadership quote by CEO Elaine Agather that sums it all up for me, "the leadership instinct you are born with is the backbone. You develop the funny bone and the wishbone to go with it."

"Happenstance and Leadership"

John D. Krumboltz designed an entire career theory around the idea of "happenstance." Krumboltz basically said, that the most satisfying work life comes to those that engage in a variety of interests and opportunities, specifically those that take advantage of unplanned events or "happenstance."

As a twist, I would challenge those that seek to become more proficient at leadership to take on the Krumboltz challenge, by asking themselves, "how could an unplanned event or an opportunity of happenstance make you a better leader?" We all like to think that we are good on our feet, should something out of the ordinary occur. But, how good are we really? Do we have a plan of action that is appropriate to navigate the unexpected? Do we have a moral compass to guide us in times of uncertainty? Do we know who to turn to when we need answers quickly? And when is it time to look to others for leadership guidance?

I think back to a time in school when we were asked to participate in a team project that included a rope. We were asked to form a circle and take hold of a rope. We stood there staring at each other to see who would make the first move. Who would assume the leadership position, become the agent of change, practice the use of self in changing the dynamic of the group.

Interestingly enough, some folks dropped the rope and became observers of the task. What did the rope symbolize for these non participants? Were they external to the world of work? Were we internal to the world of work? What did all of this have to do with leadership?

Perhaps, this activity had the most meaning for me as a student of leadership. It most closely represented the liklihood that as a leader, we will all be faced with opportunities to take the rope, or hand off the rope when appropriate. To know when our leadership skills in times of happenstance or unplanned events, has everything to do with knowing what we can do to manage a crisis (taking the rope) or remain external to the crisis(dropping the rope).


There is no right or wrong answers in school. It is all about theory, perception and experience. It is a safe haven for exploration and experimentation. It is not like real life at all. Therefore, it is important to look to some sage of wisdom as guidance. For me it was my freshman year in college when I read John Lilly's book, "Center of the Cyclone." Dr. Lilly's words resonate and provide clarity to this day, especially in times of happenstance,this is my leadership mantra.

"Within the province of the Mind, what I believe to be true either is true or becomes true within the limits to be found experientially and experimentally. These limits are further beliefs to be transcended."

What is your leadership mantra?

Brainstorming

Recently I attended a meeting at my organization that included a brainstorming session. The bait was a question that asked "what skills and abilities should a business graduate have to be successful in their field?" I am paraphrasing the question but it is accurate enough for this discussion. The interesting part of the discussion was that leadership skills did not come up until 15 or 20 minutes into the brainstorming session. Of course, it was the first thing that popped into my head. Right or wrong, we are taught how to manage in school, but not how to lead.

Leadership within an organization is not some grand sweep of action and emotion. It is a steady hand of communication and engagement. The calm before the storm, the bridge over troubled water, the sentinel at the gate of change and uncertainty. Leadership is the celebration of accomplishment, the whisper of gratitude for loyalty and dedication. Its the sponsor of our ideas and innovations and the beacon of opportunity.

We all have the ability to be competent leaders, but many of us aren't willing to sublimate our egos to the mission or the vision of the organization. If you have ever walked a busy street with a small child, hand in hand, ever vigilant of the traffic and crowds, lights and noise and interruptions; cautious and protective yet bold in your stride to protect the child at your own expense. That is leadership.