Personal Growth as Leadership Development

“Imitate Jesus and Socrates.”

Benjamin Franklin, on humility.

It is universally agreed that leadership is the single most influential determinant of the success of any organization. On the other hand, it is also agreed that our business, government, and educational institutions continue to perform in ways that are less than satisfactory. Taken together, these two facts raise serious questions about why the leadership needs of our society are not being met.

Persuasiveness Is Not Leadership

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

John Quincy Adams

With All We Know About Leadership, Bad Bosses Still Proliferate

“Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Success Versus Excellence: Beware the Former, Pursue the Later, and You'll Achieve Both

As a long-term student of effective leadership, I’ve noticed a pattern that appears frequently but doesn’t get that much discussion. The pattern that I find curious is that spectacular successes are so often followed by dramatic declines or even miserable failures. I’ll get into some specific examples shortly, but first I feel that it’s important to note that there is often a cyclical nature to success and failure that shows up at both the individual and the organizational levels.

Common Sense: Just How Common Is It, Really?

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”

Mark Twain

The Problem of Arrogance: One reason Why Leaders Who Fail, Fail

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Proverbs 11: 2

Effective Leaders as Applied Psychologists

“A servant cannot be corrected by mere words; though he understands, he will not respond.” Proverbs 29:19

The Problem of Human Error in Business Systems and Rock 'N' Roll Bands

“To err is human; to forgive, divine.” Alexander Pope

A Catalyst for Change: The Pottstown Mosaic Community Land Trust

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

Martin, Luther King, Jr.

It’s always a pleasure to encounter examples of sound business thinking, especially in endeavors that are noble and community minded. Pottstown’s Mosaic Community Land Trust, which has dedicated itself to improving the quality of life in a challenged area, exemplifies both of the above qualities. By combining good business sense with genuine concerns for people, the “Mosaic” is emerging as a local force for good.