The Four Factors of Effective Leadership

Planning a big party?

I'm sitting here watching 46664, a concert celebrating Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday. (46664 was his identification number during his 27 years as a prisoner on Robben Island)

The third factor of effective leadership is inspiration, which includes developing a personal mission.  Imagining one's 80th birthday party is a common exercise used to help people discover and clarify their mission. Mandela has certainly set the bar quite high. First, he's made it to 90, not just 80. Second, most of the world was invited to his party (if not in person, then via television). Third, some of the most well-known figures in the world participated in the event. Bono even suggested that there should be an annual holiday to recognize Mandela's contribution to his people and the world.

I doubt that, as a young man, Mandela would have envisioned this celebration. However, it beautifully illustrates that the end of our life gives testament to the way we lived that life.

So, are you planning a big party? Will it be as big as Mandela's?

What do you need to do now to earn that kind of celebration? How do you need to live today, so that your 90th birthday will rival his?

Even if you don't have the answers yet, these are important questions.   

WTF (What the Freak) is Johnny Bunko? Part 2

I just finished reading Johnny Bunko, the latest book by Dan Pink. If you want a great (and funny) overview of the book, you can watch this video trailer or check out 23 sample pages.

The book is the story of Johnny Bunko, a struggling cubicle dweller, written in manga, a type of Japanese comic book, and offers six lessons for career success. Below is a review of two lessons that fit with the Four Factors. I review two other lessons in Part 1 on The Freak Factor blog.

Lesson #3: It's not about you.

This lesson seemed to contradict the previous lesson, "think strengths not weaknesses." However, Pink was talking about the purpose for which you use your strengths. Johnny's career advisor, Diana, explains that "the most successful people improve their own lives by improving others' lives . . . The most valuable people in any job bring out the best in others."

This is consistent with Factor 4, Improvement, which focuses on developing others.

Lesson #6: Leave an imprint.

In this final lesson, Diana encourages Johnny to consider these questions. "Did I make a difference? Did I contribute somthing? Did my being here matter?" She reminds him that "life isn't infinite . . . you should use your limited time here to do something that matters." Amen.

I conclude the Four Factors with a chapter called Impact. It includes the following definition, "Leadership is a relationship that produces positive change in yourself, in the lives of others and in the world." Dan said it in less words. Leave an imprint.