Michael McKinney is the president of LeadershipNowwhere they believe leadership is everyone’s business and that we need people of all ages and backgrounds to take part. His blog, Leading Blog, won our first Best of Leadership Blogs competition in 2007, has been nominated in other years and is a finalist again this year. (Have you voted yet?)
Michael says leaders think differently. They see the world differently. And that we all possess the capacity of leadership, but only those who cultivate it will ever become truly effective leaders. (I couldn’t agree more!)
Michael adds to the blog regularly, and has shared one of his recent posts with us that I think is really interesting. Read part of it now, click over to read the rest, then I’ll share some of my thoughts at the end.
Train Yourself to Succeed
by Michael McKinney (11/11/10)
Polar explorer Roald Amundsen wrote, in his 1927 work, My Life as a Explorer
Adventure or drama, as it is used here, indicates a lack of “definite and rigorous professional preparation.” You manage uncertain times with preparation. Survival in uncertain times is made more likely by developing oneself. Grow both the breadth and depth of your thinking. Build your portfolio of experience. Build your knowledge for adaptability. Build your connections for exposure and to reveal possibilities.
Read the rest here.
Michael gives us great and varied examples about the importance of preparation. In my post earlier this morning, about Cal Ripkin, Jr. I wrote about the same idea – being ready to play.
Leadership is a complex set of skills and behaviors. To do it well requires as Michael so clearly states, that we continually prepare ourselves; and a big part of that preparation is learning.
What are you doing today to learn and prepare yourself for the demands of leadership?
If you haven’t voted for Michael or one of the other ten nominees for the Best Leadership Blog of 2010 – now is your chance!
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