Comments on: How Do You Acquire Leadership Skills? (Part I)

By: Gina

Gina — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:52:57 +0000

Hello Frode,

Thanks for your comment and for reading the blog. Hope you find it useful and informative. I have checked out your blog, http://www.nevermindthemanager.com. Will be creating an RSS Feed and will keep up with you too!

Best regards,
Gina

By: Frode H

Frode H — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:38:08 +0000

I like this blog post. I am new to your blog and find it interesting to spend time here. I am very interested in growing as a leader. One of my best advices is to dare to try. You will read a lot about different things you can do as a leader. Some work, some don’t. And you won’t know until you try. I am a big fan of reading blogs and that is why I found your blog. Getting ready to read part 2 now.

By: Gina

Gina — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:38:43 +0000

Hi Gwyn,

Somewhere in my vast collection of books and articles (it’s like a library here!) – I have something about 360 that may address what you very accurately noted as potential issues in your message. I’m going to dig around for information and will share if I find.

Best,
Gina

By: Gwyn Teatro

Gwyn Teatro — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:41:37 +0000

I like the notion of 360 feedback processes because they give you information on a number of levels and from various perspectives. There is a bit of a risk though and that is that those you ask to provide you with feedback could have a personal agenda that has nothing to do with you. If they like you they can simply tell you what you want to hear. If they don’t like you, well, I think you get the point. So choosing people to provide honest feedback is important.

Thanks so much for you kind remarks about my blog. I’m very flattered and particularly glad to have another sharp person (you) to noodle around with

By: Gina

Gina — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:52:25 +0000

Hi Gwyn,

Thanks for your comment (and for re-tweeting the post on Twitter!). First, I will check out the book you recommended. Always interested in book recommendations – thanks!

I agree completely with “know thyself!” I have done the Myers-Briggs myself and got quite a bit out of the results! Others who have taken it have noted that they find it quite enlightening. I haven’t taken any Emotional Intelligence profiles – I think it would be quite interesting though.

In addition, it might be helpful to do a 360 to understand how others perceive you also. Thoughts?

These combined (“know thyself” and 360) will likely help the individual understand where his/her strengths lie, how to develop the non-strength areas (weaknesses), and, by providing them a better understanding of themselves and how others perceive them – will make them a better leader overall.

By the way – I love your blog – specially the title! I have subscribed to the feed.

Thanks again for your comments and thoughts.

Best,
Gina

By: Twitted by GwynT

Twitted by GwynT — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:05:50 +0000

[...] This post was Twitted by GwynT [...]

By: Gwyn Teatro

Gwyn Teatro — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:13 +0000

Hi Gina,
This is a great topic! I have a couple of thoughts to add to the already rich mix for your consideration.

With respect to books, I like Charles Handy’s “21 Ideas for Managers”. It is written in plain language with lots of examples.

As well, I think that before we go about acquiring leadership skills we should first do some “know thyself” work. When we are new in a leadership role, it is easy to discount or undervalue what we already know how to do. And, it really helps to acknowledge what drives us and how we look at the world before we foist ourselves on unsuspecting followers.

Lots of information about ourselves can come out of something like a Myers-Briggs profile or and Emotional intelligence quotient and these are available on-line for fairly nominal fees.