Lessons of Leadership

Today I want to share with you some lessons of leadership from four-star General Stanley McChrystal's TED talk in 2011. He shares great insight on building relationships versus demanding people to follow you.  He leads his forces by building consensus and shared purpose versus just giving orders.  Take 15 minutes and listen to his talk.  Here are a few takeaways:

Leaders can let you fail, yet not let you be a failure.

When you start as a leader naturally you want to be demanding, set high standards, and be very black and white.  The instinct is that if you are not on the right side of these things then you have failed your followers BUT remember you are working with people.  People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Focus on building people up not tearing them down.  Try to reach their heart and soul and bring them together to what you are trying to accomplish. Create shared vision.

Lead by informing and engaging staff so they can work together and create buy in and make agents of change.

Leaders are not good because they are right, they are good because they are willing to learn and trust.

Is not easy, is not fair but people you have counted on will help you up when you need it. Remember people counting on you, need you on your feet.