Leadership and Character
Leaders live in fish bowl and are always being watched. They should always be conscious of that fact and take advantage of it."
-- Gene Klann
Articles
- Leadership in the Crucible: The Paradox of Character and Power, by Ray Blunt
Suggests three leadership development activities leaders can/should engage in to stay grounded and avoid hubris and other character failings.
- Life and Learning Over One Hundred Years: Trust is the Coin of the Realm, by George P. Schultz
The former Secretary of State reflects on trust and effective relationships.
- Growing Leaders of Character
Interview with Gene Klann, author of Growing Leaders of Character - Level 5 Leadership, by Jim Collins
Resources related to the concept first introduced in Collins' classic book Good to Great. - The Successes of Leaders, by Ray Blunt
Ray Blunt challenges us to think differently about the meaning of success.
- The Failures of Leaders, by Ray Blunt
Discusses some of the causes of derailment.
- How to Get Ahead Without Tooting Your Own Horn, by Ray Blunt
On the pitfalls of pride.
Books
Building Character: Strengthening the Heart of Good Leadership
The Trusted Leader: Building the Relationships that Make Government Work
The Trusted Leader starts with the premise that building trust and relationships at every level (i.e. between career public managers and political appointees, front-line employees, personnel from other agencies, members of Congress, private citizens) is a necessary pre-condition for effective government. The authors assert that high-level efforts to dictate or legislate reform usually fall short because of inattention to these trust and relationship issues (see excerpt). Includes superb chapters discussing values-based leadership, self-awareness, team building, collaboration, working with Congress and much more. Many of the chapters were written by leadership experts with decades of experience teaching at the Federal Executive Institute, so they have a deep understanding of the challenges we face leading in the public service. This is an invaluable resource for practitioners of public sector leadership. Read More...
Ego is the Enemy
