The DNA of Leadership

Judith Glaser has done it again!  Her new book, The DNA of Leadership, a follow up to last year's very successful Creating WE, contains some of the most creative thinking I’ve seen about organizations in years. 

In the book, Judith identifies seven vital leadership "genes", and specific practices which leaders can use to "graft" these genes onto their corporate cultures…

Here’s a quick look at each of the genes and what Judith has to say about them:

C Gene: Community
Co-creating cultures work to include, not exclude.  They focus on engagement, involvement and participation.  They work to reduce territoriality, ego and fear or rejection.

H Gene: Humanizing
Humanizing cultures are those where leaders believe “we are all in this together”.  Leaders in these environments work to reduce blaming, victimizing and criticizing.  They support open, honest communication and respect for others.

A Gene: Aspiring
Aspiring cultures are characterized by a high level of learning, awareness of opportunity and a willingness to seize opportunity.  Aspiring leaders reduce fear – of change, making mistakes and being wrong.

N Gene: Navigating
Navigating cultures are marked by mutual support and growth; sharing rather than withholding.  People cross-pollinate to build networks and exchange insights and wisdom so they can be prepared to move deftly in response to marketplace changes.

G Gene: Generating
Generating cultures are those where leaders, employees, stakeholders and customers work together to create the future.  They focus on innovation and experimentation.  They promote growth, rather than groupthink.

E Gene: Expressing
In expressing cultures, people have a voice, make decisions, challenge authority and are valued and respected for their contributions.  Leaders are not dictators.  People are encouraged to develop themselves in order to develop the organization.

S Gene: Spirit of Reinvention
Cultures with a spirit of reinvention experience ongoing transformation.  People work together toward a higher purpose.  A commitment to creating a shared future takes precedence over compliance to outdated beliefs and norms.

In The DNA of Leadership, Ms. Glaser also provides self assessment tools that make it possible for individuals to judge where they stand on each of the seven leadership genes, as well as where their organization as a whole stands.

Judith Glaser has written an important book that anyone interested in creating and running a successful business should read.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website for more common sense advice on building a business.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: You can now access my archived internet radio shows directly from the home page of my website www.BudBilanich.com.  Turn on your speakers and follow the link.

PPS: My new book, Fixing Performance Problems: Common Sense Ideas That Work  is now available on Amazon.com.  If you're so inclined, I'd appreciate it if you would purchase a copy at $14.95.  This will help me get my Amazon ratings up.  Nice reviews are welcome too.

Comments

[Wayne Turmel]

Bud, Judith is, indeed, a talented and engaging woman. She was a terrific guest when she was on my podcast, The Cranky Middle Manager Show Show #31.(http://cmm.thepodcastnetwork.com) it's worth checking out just for the story about her and Martha Stewart. Keep up the good work.