Summary: Why I love leaders and the topic of leadership Welcome to my first Podcast. I welcome you and your time. I hope you listen to the show! This first show is an introduction to what I love about leadership and just a bit about my own story. My passion is to help leaders lead. So if that sparks an interest, read on and listen. * I begin with a short history is the study of leadership - great leaders (Lincoln, King, Thatcher, Gandhi, Moses) and terrible leaders. History in many ways is the story of what leaders have done for good and for harm. * I introduce myself --a little about who I am. I have always wanted to change the world for good - have my life count - and that is what leaders do! * I don't know where you are at in your journey - but I love helping leaders lead. Why do I call myself the Leadership Answerman??? Not because I think I am a great leader. It is because I am here to help leaders lead, and if I don't know the answer I will find the answer! I write books and speak on leadership: Not because I consider myself a great leader but because I want to become a better leader. I write books and speak on leadership ot from the classroom of academic theory but from the crucible of the leadership trenches. The history of the formal study of leadership: * Great Man (original) * Situational Leadership (leader, follower and situation) * Complexity (today) Why I decided to start podcasting I love listening to podcasts. Just started four months ago. 97 Million commuters in the USA every day - 26 minutes is the average commute. It is in my car that I listen to most of the podcasts. My trainer told me the other day how depressed he gets listening to talk radio. I suggested, "do what I do!" Listen to stuff that lifts your spirits, challenges your heart, makes you a better person, inspires you. Every smart phone is a radio receiver now - a podcast receiver. The 2013 Social Media Expo in San Diego said that "Podcasting is the biggest story in social media in 2013." I have always been an early adapter of new technology and am thrilled to get into the world of Podcasting. Here's a tip for you: How do you improve as a leader? Get around leaders that inspire you. Read their books Go to their conferences Listen to their podcasts. QUESTION: What is the most important qualification for leadership? You might be surprised. These are NOT the keys to great leadership though they might help..... * Born leader * Great Personality * Right skill set * Special Family background - pedigree * Spirituality * Right Gifting * Education * Training * Determination * Passion * Good looks Ready for the answer? What is the real key? Well, I am sorry to disappoint you, but there is no one key! It is a magical combination of a person's background, family, education, personality and learning over years of experience. Having said that, there are two key ingredients that I want to leave you with today as the application, and they are both a reflection of HUMILITY: Listen - to your people Learn - lifelong learning Quote of the show: "If we stop learning today, we will stop leading tomorrow." – That's an original for me. This goes with a theme I will repeat forever and ever; The two most important words in a leader's vocabulary: Listen and Learn Book of the Show to recommend - Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make, by Hans Finzel Send me your questions below to answer in a future show and future show idea topics
