Leadership Development: Where to Begin?

Leadership Development: Where to Begin?

"One of things that hurts the leadership industry is the idea that there are 10 or 12 skills that magically work for everybody’. ‘That's not how the world works. It's a variety of skills, a variety of styles.” Mark Murphy, chairman and CEO of Leadership IQ, a training firm based in Washington, D.C

If you have never been involved in any type of leadership activity but are considering it, you may be asking yourself, “OK, so where and how do I begin.” You might want to start with anything “that which shows you more than you saw before and makes you more than you thought you could be.” Sounds cryptic. It’s simpler than that though.

Joan Chittister talks about it in one of her many short interviews available on youtube.com. In one talk, she mentions a Sufi story about a man who goes to the Master and asks, “Master, I am looking for life, what shall I do? The Master says reach out and take what you can. And the man says it must…it can’t be that easy? It must be something harder than that. And the Master says…ahh it is…reach out and grasp what you cannot.” Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGbJWPoYJD4.

Reaching beyond your grasp may seem daunting. In his eclectic and fascinating book titled Anam Cara, Celtic Wisdom (the Celtic word for soul friend), John O’Donohue writes about how a person might find within themselves a depth and excitement unknown if they try new things but they may be afraid or blind to the opportunity or lack self-appreciation. He quotes the Irish writer, James Stephens, who said something which applies to anyone considering leadership. “The only barrier is our readiness.” O’Donohue provides a bit of advice. “The handle is on the inside of the door; only we can open it.”

The Leadership Division has developed (through the work of Carol Damp Lowery and Lynne Sinclair) a Leadership Checklist that you can use as a start for opening the door. You will find it here, Leadership Checklist

“The best place to begin is to start with where you are.”

From the practice fields…

Joe Putos, PT

Chair, Leadership Division

Canadian Physiotherapy Association

Looking for Professional Development opportunities about Leadership for your staff or colleagues?We have an innovative three part leadership development series that we can bring to your site.

For more information send us a message at or visit our website where you will find more resources on leadership.

http://www.physiotherapy.ca/Divisions/Leadership

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