Today’s Power Acronym is another initialism but I wanted to include it because I think these “ingredients for leadership” are worthy of studying. They come from Warren Bennis, author of “On Becoming a Leader”.
Power Acronym 49: V.P.I.T.C.D.
Vision
“You transform the chaotic potential of the future into actuality with vision” - Jordan B Peterson
Without a clear and communicated vision of what could be, it is difficult to overcome the question of why we should do anything at all.
As Jordan Peterson articulates in his series on the subject of Vision, it is up to the individual to examine the landscape of possibility and then reverse engineer the best next steps into realizing it.
One of the most powerful ways to start the process is to answer this question:
What do you want?
This question is like a breadcrumb trail onto a life path of your choosing.
Answered honestly, this question opens up the possibility.
The only thing left to do is act.
Passion
If the leader doesn’t care, why should anyone else?
Passion isn’t a replacement for competence or value, it is their prerequisite.
Passion is like a burning fire. It brings light and heat that others feel comfortable gathering around. Eventually, others will start contributing to that fire in their way but it starts with one spark.
I used to weigh “doing what I’m passionate about” too heavily when it came to work. Over time I discovered that enthusiasm for the work is important but passion can be deceptive.
When I joined PDQ America, I wasn’t passionate about trucking. They had a desire to start a podcast. Because I had experience with podcasting and my other skillsets (sales & marketing) were also needed, it turned out to be a great fit.
Passion is important, but it must be properly placed. Let it guide you, but not have supreme rule.
Integrity
Possibly the most fundamental of ingredients for leaders is Integrity.
If you don’t do what you say you will do, why should anyone follow you?
Trust
Trust is closely linked to Integrity.
I’m more likely to trust someone that does what they say they will do.
I’m more likely to trust myself when I do what I say I will do.
Trust also has to do with consistency. Am I available? Am I present? Am I following the process?
Curiosity
Curiousity is a necessary virtue for growth and development.
If you aren’t curious, you won’t improve.
As with all Heroic Virtues, the essence of Curiousity can be expressed in this mantra:
What’s working?
What needs work?
These two questions are important for leaders to return to again and again as they showcase what’s worthy of celebrating, which reinforces that great beheavior and encourages further improvement.
Daring
Truth or dare?
What a “fun” game.
Either choice comes with risk.
Truth can hurt feelings and change relationships.
A dare can lead to failure and embarrasment.
But leaders must dare.
If the knight did not dair enter the dragon’s lair, he would never bring back the gold.
A leader must grow comfortable taking risks.
“The only thing I know for sure after all of this research is that if you’re going to dare greatly, you’re going to get your ass kicked at some point. If you choose courage, you will absolutely know failure, disappointment, setback, even heartbreak. That’s why we call it courage. That’s why it’s so rare.” - Brene Brown
What’s another ingredient for leadership?
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