There is a very distinct difference between leadership and management. Succinctly put, one enables us to follow a particular path and the other makes sure that we do not waver from that path. In an attempt (no matter what we try and call it, it is an attempt at best) to raise a child and make sure that they follow a path of goodness and righteousness, we all try and become examples that can help them in their lives. This learning opportunity, in essence, is almost a life-long class in leadership.
I visited TED again today. It is a very energizing and motivating enterprise to say the least. The credit for today's experience goes to Stanley McChrystal. He is a four-star General and shares what he learned about leadership over his decades in the military. He is the former commander of U.S. and International forces in Afghanistan and is credited for creating a revolution in warfare that fuses intelligence and operations (Watch Video By Clicking Here).
"Intelligence and operations" caught my attention. Isn't that what all us parents do?
We utilize intelligence and knowledge gained over a period of time to create, what we think is, an efficient "operating system" that enables our kids to grow in an environment where mediocrity is shunned and life-long learning is encouraged (the last part is our house-hold; it may not hold true in all cases, sometimes justifiably so).
One of the things that I truly liked about the very motivating speech was that the General opened himself to learning even when he did not have to (I am sure he had people that could do his bidding). He made friends with technology to reach out to his team that was spread all over. He did not shy away from leaving behind conventional behavior that might have worked historically. He also did not hesitate to accept new ways that have to be practiced to adapt to an ever-changing, and shrinking, world. He is another example of the fact that adapting to changing demands forms a major part of the core of modern leadership, whatever be the nature of the organization that we are a part of (familial, cultural, capital, social or otherwise).
If we do not change, as parents and professionals, we will become outdated in a flash and it will affect our capacity as providers - both in providing a service to our organization and clients and as providers to our children.
I am pretty sure that in the long run my son will teach me a lot more than the other way round. Till that time though, I find it mandatory, for all of us to, as the General says, "listen, learn...then lead" with the hope that our sons and daughters will follow suit when their times come.
I visited TED again today. It is a very energizing and motivating enterprise to say the least. The credit for today's experience goes to Stanley McChrystal. He is a four-star General and shares what he learned about leadership over his decades in the military. He is the former commander of U.S. and International forces in Afghanistan and is credited for creating a revolution in warfare that fuses intelligence and operations (Watch Video By Clicking Here).
"Intelligence and operations" caught my attention. Isn't that what all us parents do?
We utilize intelligence and knowledge gained over a period of time to create, what we think is, an efficient "operating system" that enables our kids to grow in an environment where mediocrity is shunned and life-long learning is encouraged (the last part is our house-hold; it may not hold true in all cases, sometimes justifiably so).
One of the things that I truly liked about the very motivating speech was that the General opened himself to learning even when he did not have to (I am sure he had people that could do his bidding). He made friends with technology to reach out to his team that was spread all over. He did not shy away from leaving behind conventional behavior that might have worked historically. He also did not hesitate to accept new ways that have to be practiced to adapt to an ever-changing, and shrinking, world. He is another example of the fact that adapting to changing demands forms a major part of the core of modern leadership, whatever be the nature of the organization that we are a part of (familial, cultural, capital, social or otherwise).
If we do not change, as parents and professionals, we will become outdated in a flash and it will affect our capacity as providers - both in providing a service to our organization and clients and as providers to our children.
I am pretty sure that in the long run my son will teach me a lot more than the other way round. Till that time though, I find it mandatory, for all of us to, as the General says, "listen, learn...then lead" with the hope that our sons and daughters will follow suit when their times come.
Well reasoned, sir. And this is one place where leadership with a fully engaged heart is critical to successful leadership. And, like in warfare, improvisation and remembering that perfect is the enemy of good (enough) are also important.
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