The document discusses whether highly successful business leaders need to be "jerks". It notes that Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs portrayed him as a hard-hearted narcissist who treated employees badly. However, the document also profiles several highly successful 20th century business leaders from major companies like Kimberly-Clark and Walgreens, suggesting that leadership need not require being a "jerk". It explores the idea of "Level 5 Leadership" which balances both professional will to succeed with personal humility. The key message is that while leadership can involve tough decisions, the most effective leaders influence others through qualities like inspiration, trust and collaboration rather than through harsh treatment of employees.

1. L e adin g w ith
I n f lu e n ce

2. Characteristics of a…
Successful and Famous Business Leader




Hard-hearted narcissist
Treated loyal employees like garbage
Uncharitable
Ran roughshod over his people
“Most readers come away
stunned at how much of a
jerk the guy was.”
David Weidner (Wall Street Journal)
on the Biography of Steve Jobs
Walter Isaacson on Steve Jobs – Apple [Biography]
Published in the The Wall Street Journal March 31,2012
2

3. Who Are These People?
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Darwin Smith
Colman M. Mockler
George Cain
Charles R. Walgreen III
Alan L. Wurtzel
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Kimberly-Clark (1971-1991)
Gillette (1975-1991)
Abbott Laboratories (1958-1999)
Walgreens (1975-2000)
Circuit City (1972-1986)
3

4. The TwoLevel 5of
Sides Leadership …
Level 5 Leadership
Professional Will
Personal Humility
•
Creates superb results, a clear catalyst
in the transition from good to great.
•
•
Demonstrates an unwavering resolve
to do whatever must be done to
produce the best long-term results, no
matter how difficult.
Demonstrates a compelling
modesty, shunning public
adulation; never boastful.
•
Sets the standard of building an
enduring great company; will settle for
nothing less.
Acts with quiet, calm
determination; relies principally
on inspired standards, not
inspiring charisma, to motivate.
•
Channels ambition into the
company, not the self; sets up
successors for even greater
success in the next generation.
•
Looks out the window, not in the
mirror, to apportion credit for the
success of the company—to other
people, external factors, and good
luck.
•
•
Looks in the mirror, not out the
window, to apportion responsibility for
poor results, never blaming other
people, external factors, or bad luck.
4

5. Question
Do You Have to Be a “Jerk” to
Be a Highly Successful Leader?

6. Leadership Is Easy…
…Until It’s Difficult



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Tough decisions
Managing change
Motivating employees
Delivering results
Improving performance
Strategic focus
Balance – Company & People
6

7. Definition: Leadership
The process of social influence in
which one person can enlist the
aid and support of others in the
accomplishment of a common
task, objective, or goal.
Leadership: the
art of getting
someone else to
do something you
want done
because he wants
to do it.
Dwight D.
Eisenhower

8. #1 Leadership Differentiator
THE ABILITY TO
INFLUENCE
OTHERS
8

9. Influential Leadership Skills
 Inspirational
 Presence
 Awareness
 Collaborative
 Trustworthy
What is common to each of these skills?
9

10. 5 Elements of Influential Communication
1.
2.
3.
4.
Self-awareness
Effective listening
Understanding your audience
Clearly articulating your point of view
or message
5. Achieving a mutually positive
outcome
10

11. Awareness
The powerful mental
state from which we can
respond rather than react
The greatest
leaders are like the
best conductors:
they reach beyond
the notes to reach
the magic in the
players.
Blaine Lee

12. Emotional Resilience
12

13. What is Listening?
DEFINITION:
Listening is the ability
to accurately perceive a
message conveyed by
another person.

14. NO Really…
14

15. Knowing Your Audience
Source material: Inscape Publishing, Inc.

16. Articulating Your Message

17. The Communication Rule
Body Language =
55%
38%
Words = 7%
Tone =
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18. Mutually Beneficial Outcome

19. Summary
1. Be aware of your leadership style
2. Listening for meaning
3. Understand your audience
4. Communicate with more than just
your words
5. Seek to understand – then to be
understood
A leader leads
by example,
whether he
intends to or
not.
Anonymous

20. Thank You for
Your Time!
DAVID LIDDELL
603.881.9999
dliddell@skye-solutions.com
www.skye-solutions.com