What Is Leadership, Anyway? | 3
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Leadership Is Knowledge
"Titles can get in the way," says Amin Marts of
Novell. Amin is an applied technology strategist
who provides thought leadership from the Novell
perspective to the outside world. Although he
has no direct reports, Amin leads every day and
believes that companies need leaders throughout
the organization.
Leadership begins with knowledge. Good leaders
become "central repositories of information for
[their] focus," Amin explained. They provide a
uniqueness of interpretation that people find
valuable and compelling. Organizations need
people throughout their systems that can possess
and interpret information.
However, leading through knowledge requires
more than becoming a subject matter expert.
Successful leaders identify what's important
amidst tremendous amounts of data, extract
that information, and connect it to the needs
and interests of a listener. Amin described this
as an organic process, in which leaders adapt
their approach and message to each specific
audience. It's challenging and requires thought,
but results in solid wins as leaders create positive
relationships. People gravitate toward these
leaders, knowing that the leaders will truly listen
and respond to what they need.
Enhance Knowledge to Support Your Leadership
• Subscribe to several magazines and
journals, at least two of which are outside
your area of focus.
• Make a practice of meeting and listening
new people, especially those outside your
focus area.
• Practice articulating the viewpoints and
needs of various constituent groups. Then
experiment with adapting your message to
address to their interests.
And, Finally, Leadership Is Shared
Many successful leaders say the same thing: "I
can't take all the credit." Good leaders involve
others, solve problems collaboratively, seek
advice, and coach others to lead. So, in the
end, leadership is about building trust, creating
alignment, and enhancing knowledge … and
encouraging others to do the same.
About the Author:
Maya Townsend, MSOD, is a trainer and consultant for Corpo-
rate Education Group and specializes in leadership, strategy,
and collaboration. During her career, Maya has successfully
designed and facilitated training programs for over 5000 peo-
ple in groups of 3 to 130 in the public and corporate sectors.
Highly intuitive, analytical, and imaginative, Maya works at
all levels, from CEOs to line workers, to develop the relation-
ships, ideas, connections, and interdependencies that shift an
organization to the next level of productivity and performance.
