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From the Introduction:
“Leadership is a test, and no one knows all the answers. The complete book on leadership has not been, and cannot be, written. Each opportunity, challenge, success, and mistake adds new information and insights but never tells the whole story. This is because leadership is ultimately about people – leaders and followers – and as such we are willful and complex. If we are put in groups to accomplish a task, our various skills, personalities, experiences, knowledge, and flaws will create patterns of interactions that are unique for each task and group.”
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From the Dialog with the Author:
“My most satisfying experiences as a leader have several dimensions in common. First, I was part of a team that shared a mission. Second, the team faced imposing challenges or barriers to success that had to be successfully managed. Third, the members of the team had the requisite skills for the tasks to be accomplished, and we planned and organized ourselves to use our resources to the best effect. We were able to trust each other to pull together for our common goals. … Learning to be a leader is about creating and sustaining the conditions that enable people to work together to accomplish team and organizational goals.”
“There is a rhythm to doing and reflecting, planning and problem solving, thinking and acting, and listening and coaching. … As a leader, your challenge is to learn how to use your skills in relationship to those of your followers to achieve your shared organizational purpose and mission. To do this, you will need to learn more about yourself, your followers, and the successes and failures of others who have attempted similar efforts in the past.”
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