Perhaps I should keep this post short.  If we all read and took action on the three word title of this post, we would all be more effective starting today and forever.

I was reminded to share this key leadership skill with you today because of the quotation I shared in our Powerquotes Plus newsletter yesterday.

“It is only as we develop others that we permanently succeed.”

– Harvey S. Firestone

By most any material measure, Harvey Firestone succeeded – and did so permanently.  He helped create an industry, employed thousands, and his enterprises continue to do so.  Harvey Firestone clearly mastered strategic leadership.   It seems that in this short quotation he gave a one secret to his success.

I haven’t taken the time to explore the corporate history and philosophy (but it seems like a good idea) of Firestone, but this statement alone tells me a lot.

It tells me that Harvey Firestone believed in leadership coaching before it was “in vogue”.  It tells me that he believed in developing others for the right reasons – to make a difference in the world.

As a leader never lose sight that as we develop others we aren’t just doing it “for the business”, but because as we support, encourage, lift up and coach those around us, we are making a real difference in their lives and therefore in the world at large.

Here then is your leadership challenge and leadership activity for the day:

Who can I help develop today?

What can I do specifically?

And when will I get started?

Want more articles like this?

Subscribe to any of our e-newsletters to get them delivered directly to your inbox.

Kevin Eikenberry is a recognized world expert on leadership development and learning and is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. He has spent over 30 years helping organizations across North America, and leaders from around the world, on leadership, learning, teams and teamwork, communication and more.

Twice he has been named by Inc.com as one of the Top 100 Leadership and Management Experts in the World and 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference. The American Management Association named him a “Leaders to Watch” and he has been twice named as one of the World's Top 30 Leadership Professionals by Global Gurus. Top Sales World has named him a Top Sales & Marketing Influencer several times, and his blog has been named on many “best of” lists. LeadersHum has named him one of the 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2023.

Share your thoughts

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}