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Excerpts
from the article "Strategies
for Leading Breakthroughs"
Breaking the Rules
So what separates
extraordinary leaders from proponents of the status quo?
They break the rules. Except, not in an arbitrary or
capricious way. When you look at examples of extraordinary
leadership, like the Founding Fathers of the United States or
Jack Welch of
GE, certain practices or principles become apparent. To
start, there is a
declaration of what the future will be. There is also a
purpose, something to stand for. And finally, there is a clearly
articulated commitment.
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A powerful declaration
can create a quantum leap in an organization’s performance.
It is the willingness to put yourself on the line and say
what the future will be, instead of being at the mercy of
whatever the future brings. At the same time, when you
declare an intention to accomplish something you have
never accomplished before, you simultaneously create a
problem. To some, that problem looks like something to avoid
at any cost. To others, it looks like an opportunity to
uncover what is missing between where they are and where
they want to be. By declaring what the future will be, you
open a path for people.
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A
stand is similar to a purpose. It is what unites
people in the face of putting something at stake. It is what
they rally around and for. It is what people want to be part
of now and in the future. It creates the consciousness or
value system. When you clearly state what you stand for,
it’s as if you have created a platform where others can
stand with you. For example, Ghandi stood for achieving
freedom and justice by non-violent means, and millions of
people joined him in this stand.
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A clearly defined commitment
helps people understand whom they have to become to build a
legacy. In essence, people become the accomplishment. When
people become their accomplishment, it
empowers them to take the appropriate actions.
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