What's the most important ingredient to a leader's success? Surely it must be
Vision casting skills...
OR is it
Strategic goal-setting...
OR is it
People management skills...
OR is it
Financial planning and budgeting skills...
OR is it
Ability to communicate well...
OR is it
Ability to sell...
Hmmm... which one? And when you think about it, aren't there millions and millions of dollars and countless hours spent each year developing, equipping and training all of these vital leadership skills at conferences, business schools and online training? That's not a bad thing.
But are these what must be prioritized above all else?
Personally, I sat in class for years to learn how to study, communicate and manage. I 've been to months worth of leadership conferences and seminars. Yet, I can say with all candor that incredibly little proactively addressed what I now believe is the single most important ingredient in leadership success.
And that is?
Formation of my heart. My real motivation. Call it character, or soul or passion. It's what's real and deep inside us that makes us care enough to do something rather than nothing. It's what makes us care about people, about vision and about bringing change. It's what makes us want to work hard when we'd rather quit. It's what calls us to persevere when things don't make sense. When you think about it: Isn't the key behind any great leader not just in their head but what drives their heart?
And you? Aren't you a much better leader (not to mention person!) when you're not just filled with cognitive training and do-more-stuff thoughts, but lit by enthusiasm? Yet, how much of your training drew out your heart, your peace or your core motivation?
According to Mark Miller, Vice President for organizational effectiveness at Chick-fil-A, "The 90% that lies beneath the surface of the iceberg of leadership is your leadership motivation... your character, your heart. What's below the waterline colors everything we do as a leader.... He goes on to say that [cryout-pullquote s your heart?
