One of my most requested keynotes and workshops focuses on leadership. I begin by discussing what I call the non-negotiables of leadership and then talk about the three quotients, IQ, EQ, and AQ (Adaptability Quotient), that will be necessary to be an effective leader in the future. One of the workshops in that class is creating your personal leadership philosophy. The key characteristics and attributes you want to embody to be the kind of leader you hope to be. I had not revisited mine recently, so I decided to do some updating. I shared my first draft with our team, who gave me excellent feedback. Here is where I finally landed.
John Spence Leadership Philosophy
- Honest: Values-based, ethical, integrity, transparency.
- Authentic: Humble, vulnerable, self-aware.
- Competent: Dedicated to lifelong learning. Forward thinking.
- Communication: Ask more, listen more, talk less. Candid.
- Love: Genuine care and concern. Empathy. Fairness. Respect.
- Visionary: A compelling picture of the future. A noble purpose.
- Dependable: Good team player. Accountable. Reliable.
- Trusting: Hire great people, support their growth, and get out of their way.
- Celebrate: Praise often. Show appreciation. Have fun.
People often ask me for my definition of leadership. This is it.
To be a living example of what you hope your followers will one day become.
For me, that is the list above.
Do you have a leadership philosophy? Are there a set of attributes, skills, and characteristics you believe make up an “ideal leader”? Does your company have an ideal leader model you use for hiring, performance coaching, and termination when necessary? If not, you should. If you need help creating it, let me know.
Leadership is more about “how to be” than “what to do.”
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