Friday, December 16, 2011

Colin Powell's Leadership Lessons - 11

Fit no stereotypes. Don't chase the latest management fads. The situation dictates which approach best accomplishes the team's missions.

Leadership fads today are like band-aids. If you are lucky, it will take care of the issue. However, most times it is a only a cover. The underlying symptoms still exist, and the problems are most likely still there. As General Powell mentions, jumping from fad to fad causes immense issues and for that matter, reduces the credibility of the leader. 

One of the reasons I picked the title C-4 for my website, is that the explosive is mold-able to the different situations in which it is needed. Leadership is exactly like that. It needs to be molded to the situation, and can have very interesting (and explosive) results. 

A fad may have some actual benefits, so add it to your kit, but remember that it is a fad, and not a panacea. Find the right tactic for the situation, but keep your values in check. Your team will respect you for keeping your values, and for being flexible in your style.

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