Leadership - A discussion of traits, characteristics, and current news of leaders.

Maybe "There Is No Such Thing as Leadership." At least that's the belief of the man I interview here:

http://westallen.typepad.com/idealawg/2006/06/interview_of_ch.html

I like that he made me rethink some of my ideas and examine definitions.

Wow, Dr. Weber, thanks for the great expansion of my post. Funny that you asked about whether leadership is innate or learned. I just blogged about born versus learned traits a bit yesterday and have been continuing to give a lot of thought to where leadership falls in this. I'm sure there is much written about this (and I've read very little, to be honest) but my sense is that leadership traits can be acquired...I don't know if I'd say "taught" because it seems that the real leaders I know get their "followers" from exhibiting behaviors that have a depth akin to spirituality, awareness, commitment to something greater than themselves--could even be a cause, a value, a goal.

I'm further intrigued by the content linked to within Stephanie's comment and the math/accounting link in yours. I will thoroughly enjoy digesting this new info. Thank you!

What an interesting perspective Stephanie. Thanks! You'd make a great facilitator or leaders -- and I'd love to see a think tank guided by the question, What does it mean to lead well in this era. Why do I see a brilliant book emerging from such a roundtable. Thanks for the inspiration, I'd like to reflect on this even more!

Michelle, you started all this -- and thanks! Your post triggered so many more insights about key ideas that help people to lead -- that it already inspired further posts. It does not surprise me that you already asked about whether leadership is innate or learned....

Could be we are onto something here folks-- I'm also further intrigued by the content linked to within Stephanie's comment and like you, will enjoy digesting these new ideas ,more.

Now there is a job for the "working memory" and it is what keeps a brain alive too! Thanks! Just in from a Rotary meeting I still have an editorial deadline for a business mag I agreed to write an article on the brain for by morning. It's very rare I let deadlines get that close...:-) so here goes...:-) Hope my brain comes through for me! This discussion intrigues me though!

Nice discussion. Thanks. Michelle's mention of spirituality reminded me of a memorable conversation I had recently about leadership with a friend who teaches at a seminary. After talking for a while, I realized that I had to ask her a question as a result of what she was saying. I asked, "Does a person need to have followers in order to be a leader?" She answered that she does not think so. About that same time, I found the quote at the end of this post:

http://westallen.typepad.com/idealawg/2006/05/psyched_on_lead.html

I think it is lovely. What do you think?