Dwight D. Eisenhower defined leadership as:

“Getting a soldier to do what the leader wants him to do because the soldier wants to do it.”

“Getting a solider to do what the leader wants him to do” is management.

“..because he wants to do it” moves one into leadership.  Specifically, this is quintessentially influence.  In other words, influence results in a peson “wanting to do “it” ; it being whatever the leader wants done.

My definition of leadership (adapted from the US Army’s definition over the years): A process with the penultimate objective of effectiveness by which a person creates a state of influence that encourages other to express agency and an internal locus of control to gain performance.

For this posting, the key phrase is “state of influence”. The reason I say state of influence and not just influence is because influence can be generated and sustained in the absence of the leader. Influence may come from the symbolic trappings of an organization (it is on Wall Street vs. 153d Street; it is in a high rise glass building versus in some strip shopping center, etc.) as well as from the network of relationships the organization sustains (XYZ organization is the go to source for 1234).

If one thinks about leadership outside the box created by the beliefs centering on the idea that leadership comes solely from a person or his or her direct actions, then one becomes free to more purposefully and strategic build and organize the multitude of “things” that might also serve to generate or sustain influence.

Kind wishes

Ed

Drive On!

My intent will be to post thought and action provoking concepts and ideas about leadership. I hope you learn and get benefit.

Kind wishes

Ed
Drive On!