As I mentioned yesterday, I’m pretty enmeshed in finalizing this book that I’m writing, called Learning to Lead. It’s set to release next summer and I have got to get this durn thing FINISHED! So for today’s final “Friday Finds,” it seemed logical to share what I have found researching and writing this book about women learning the tools of leadership.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and hopefully I’ll be back here to visit with you on Monday.
On listening, a quote from a woman leading in America today:
Everyone needs to develop the ability to listen – truly listen. We each have our own ideas and opinions constantly rolling through our minds. But an effective leader cultivates the talent of being an active listener rather than thinking about how he or she is going to respond when the person opposite stops talking.
On risk-taking, a quote from Shona Brown (SVP of Google) found in How Remarkable Women Lead:
I don’t think that I’m a thrill-seeker. I’ll use skiing as the analogy because I like to jump off cliffs. But I generally jump off cliffs that I’m relatively confident I’m going to land and that if I don’t, it’s not dangerous. There are people who like to jump off cliffs who think their skill is better than it really is. They hurt themselves. There are people who are quite skilled but are afraid to jump. I like to be at that point where you’re about to jump and your stomach is going, woo!
On what to encourage in those who follow your lead, a female American executive:
Encourage creativity. Encourage persistence. Persistence and stamina are the most important factors to have. Half of success is hanging in there.
On learning it’s more than just all or nothing, from Break Your Own Rules:
Black-and-white thinking does not lead to career success or personal satisfaction. Because complexity and constant change are everywhere in business and in our world today, dealing with ambiguity has become a primary leadership trait that women need to master. One phrase that has crept into dozens of our coaching files over the years is the notion of having it all. It’s no coincidence that many of the women who are trying to have it all are also the ones who are most disappointed and frustrated. This is just one example of the type of extreme thinking that pushes us off the path to success.
From a woman who has overcome great obstacles to serve in leadership in law today:
One person can make a difference, you can impact the world, and joined with others, you can really make a difference. If the choice is “should you lead?” then you should lead because you have a responsibility to give back.
[…] I fail. I speak when silence would be a far better alternative. I’ve written about how the most insightful piece of advice I received from a women leader for my book was to […]