Being a Leader: What Does It Take?

I was fortunate to be able to attend Leadercast 2014 at Crossings Community Church (which has an impressive library) last Friday. It was my first time to attend this event.

It was a day set aside to learn about what it takes to be a great leader, a day for networking and connection, and a day for a free sandwich. Can’t beat that!

A star studded cast of motivational speakers got to the core of what leadership really means. Specifically, being a leader means it’s not about you. The concept was “Beyond You” leadership, becoming a leader worth following. All of the speakers wove a common thread throughout their speeches. Leadership is not about you. Rather, leadership is about empowering those around and behind you. A couple of ways to accomplish that is to leverage your power for the sake of others, and surprisingly, to make as few decisions as possible. People respond better when they are trusted to make decisions. They feel ownership in what they are doing, they are encouraged, and they have accountability. This reduces the stress of the leader as well. They share the duties of the organization, and suddenly it’s not all resting on their shoulders. They will get more rounded solutions to problems and better options to handle situations. Win-win!

Andy Stanley, Founder of North Point Ministries, said, “Empty your cup. Find ways to pour what you know into others. You know more than you think you know!”

“Leaders who have influence that goes past themselves are able to give up control.” He added, “Make people feel like you would do anything for them,” said Dr. Henry Cloud, Clinical Psychologist, (and bestselling author).

Archbishop Desmond Tutu introduced the idea of reciprocity. He said, “A person is a person through other persons. We are made to be connected with one another.”

Author of the book The Invisible Thread, Laura Schroff shared her experience that taught her that one “Beyond You” moment can change your whole life.  “Kindness can change lives,” she added.

“Responsibility begins at the top,” said award winning Journalist, Malcolm Gladwell. “To be an effective leader, it matters what you say and how you say it. You must be respectful, even when the other person seems crazy. You must listen to them, even if you disagree with what they are saying. You must be fair. People have to trust you.”

One of my favorite speakers of the day was Randall Wallace, screenwriter, director, producer and song writer. You may have seen one his movies. He wrote the screenplay for Braveheart. Some of his other films include Pearl Harbor, The Man in the Iron Mask, We Were Soldiers, and Secretariat. He shared his secret to successful leadership in one word: Give.

“Leaders have followers. Treat people with dignity and respect, and they will give it right back to you,” stated SAP CEO, Bill McDermott.

A conference favorite, bestselling author and Founder of the Start with Why movement, Simon Sinek, closed out the broadcast. “Leaders set the tone,” he said. “Most achievements are done with a team of believers.”  He highlighted the Marine Corp structure of self sacrifice as opposed to the self absorbed leadership culture of the corporate world. He ended with saying, “Leadership is not a rank. It’s a choice and responsibility, a choice to look after others.”

Finally, this quote can sum up the message of the whole day.

“The reality is leadership will never be measured by what one person is able to accomplish as a result of his or her talents and abilities alone. It can’t be. The word itself implies the existence of others.”