Lead ThySelf

In recent years, we have come to believe that it is increasingly important for business leaders to learn how to build companies that are simultaneously   purpose-driven ,   performance-focused , and   principles-led . We developed this point of view from two quite different perspectives: One of the authors is an academic and adviser to C-suite executives on building enterprise leadership capability, and the other is an executive, board member, and CEO coach who, as CEO and president of Ford Motor Co. from 2006 to 2014, led a successful turnaround at that company. At a time when the pace of change in business is faster than ever, we believe that building organizations with these three characteristics is no longer a choice. Being  performance-driven  is clearly essential to success; continuous disruption, rapid technological innovation, and turbulence require that today’s leaders build agile organizations with resilient employees in order to achieve superio...

I have had more trouble with myself than any other man. I have never met a man who has given me as much trouble as myself. —D.L. Moody What does leading self mean? Leading self encompasses being awake to life and moving forward in a purposeful manner. A leader of self has eyes wide open to countless opportunities available to live a life of meaning, as opposed to wandering through life hoping for the best. And as part of living a purposeful life, the leader of self is engaged in fulfilling visions and creating outcomes within the construct of conscious values. However, many leaders of others fail to formulate a life plan for leading themselves. A life plan is a written document outlining their purpose, vision, values, and operating principles. As leaders of organizations, they may adhere well to an organizational mission statement, vision, and values. As a leader of others, they probably can articulate these important organizational elements even without a wallet card. Bu...