Leadership

One of our wisest mentors, David Drennan, defines a leader as “Someone who takes you where you haven’t been before”. Lots of research and academic study have not really bettered that definition for us.

We are very clear about what defines a leader – and it is most definitely not a bunch of skills, qualities, innate abilities or birthright. Like so much of our work it is based on a piece of knowledge that is profoundly simple yet often overlooked or misunderstood.

The only thing that defines whether someone is a leader or not is followers. If no-one follows you, buys your idea or believes what you have to say then you are not a leader – no matter what your job title is.

We focus more on the word “leadership” than “leader” because we see it as a function not necessarily a person. In a high performing team we often see leadership moving around according to the task and circumstances.

Our programme designs all keep this in mind – so we don’t spend any time trying to instill the qualities of Ghandi, Churchill, Mandela or anyone else. We ask people not “What makes you a great leader?” but “Why should anyone be led by you?” – and that is one of the challenges that is the basis of our leadership programme, “Six Leadership Questions”