3 Simple Steps To Go From Good To Great In Executive Leadership
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
- Charles Caleb Colton
Say what you will about Mr. Colton's oft-used quote, but he was definitely on to something.
When Bob Dylan was starting out on the Greenwich Village coffee house circuit in the early 60's, some critics dismissed him as a pale imitation of Woody Guthrie. As Woody was one of his heroes, I'm sure he wasn't too bothered.
I wasn't around for those remarks but I clearly remember ones hurled at Quentin Tarantino's in the early 90's - "Martin Scorsese clone", etc.
Anyone who's heard Dylan's pre-electric music or watched an early Tarantino film recognizes some truth in these observations.
They also recognize that both Dylan and Tarantino went on to craft their own distinct styles while building on the work of their heroes.
Imitation is a form of flattery, after all.
I see it as a natural step to finding one's own voice, especially in a a position of leadership where others begin to see you as a thought leader.
I'd argue that Dylan borrowed from the great Guthrie on his way to becoming even greater (I'll let the cinephiles debate QT vs. Scorsese).
To become great in any field, i.e. a thought leader with original ideas that have an impact, you too will have to copy what you know and love.
I'd like to show you a simple formula to follow on the path to crafting your own unique voice on your way "from good to great".
How To Go From Good To Great
Emotional Intelligence, Servant Leadership, Design Thinking - widely practiced ideas and concepts of recent years.
They're used and valued because they're good.
However, they've already been invented.
Not to worry. Here's the formula in a nutshell:
“Take what you like from these ideas and adapt them to your own needs. Better yet, combine them with something else you like and create something new altogether. Use what works and makes sense to you, discard what doesn't.”
After all, no one knows what you need better than you.
If you develop others, no one is in a better position to try something new with them than you.
Here are 3 steps + tips to help you "go from good to great" in your leadership role:
1. Use - Take what you know and like and use it. If unsure, test it out yourself.
For example, to help a direct report develop a hidden talent, first take the StrengthsFinder online questionnaire yourself. If you get value from the experience, share it with them. (Try a personality test, if you prefer)
2. Adapt - Take what works and adapt it to your own needs, or the needs of the people you wish to develop.
For example, to develop your team, have everyone take the take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and work through the results that are relevant for your team and disregard the rest. (Try different psychometric tool, if you prefer)
3. Create - Take the pieces of what you like and create something new, i.e. "connect the dots".
PRO TIP: Take a few ideas from what the experts say about effective team collaboration (TED Talks, HBR, etc.) and combine them with your own team best practices for: "Our golden rules of team collaboration".
Executive Leadership In Action
Show me a great thinker and I'll show you imitation in action.
Wasn't Carl Jung inspired by Sigmund Freud. Plato by Socrates?
Even Albert Einstein added to ideas of others on his way to his great Theory of Relativity (still making headlines after 100 years).
You are no different. So take the ideas and concepts you like and use them.
If unsure, test them out. If imperfect, adapt them.
If something different is needed, build on what you like and create something new.
“BUT, when borrowing from others, keep in mind the wise words of George E. P. Box: "Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful." Therefore, don’t put too much value other peoples’ models.”
If you’re not already there, follow these strategies on your career journey to the executive level…and beyond.
Crafting your own distinct leadership voice is a transformative process that propels you from good to great.
Get this FREE tool to help you “achieve your career goals in 7 steps”:
Most importantly, keep testing, adapting and creating on your unique path to peak performance!
Thanks for reading,
Tim
P.S. For my advice on how to go from good to great, book a FREE Discovery Call.