The document discusses modern theories of leadership. It argues that leadership is situational and depends on relationships and context rather than inherent traits. An effective leader adapts to their environment, communicates openly with followers, and understands their own strengths and limitations. The ideal leader holds space for others by helping people think critically and enlarging possibilities, rather than being a heroic transformer. Modern leadership focuses on accountability, coaching, support, and empowering willing followers rather than demanding compliance.

1. LEADERSHIP
WWW.GRADUTEMPORE.COM

2. LEADERSHIP
Think of someone who you consider to be a
leader
1. What do/did they do?
2. How do/did they act?
3. What is it about them that makes them a
leader in your eyes?

3. How many people give these
kinds of answers…
National Leaders
George Washington
Mahatma Gandhi
Nelson Mandela
Religious Leaders
Buddha
Jesus
Muhammad
Military Leaders
Alexander
Caesar
Napoleon
Controversial Leaders
Genghis Khan
Adolph Hitler
Joseph Stalin
LEADERSHIP

4. How many people give these
kinds of answers…
National Leaders
George Washington
Mahatma Gandhi
Nelson Mandela
Religious Leaders
Buddha
Jesus
Muhammad
Military Leaders
Alexander
Caesar
Napoleon
Controversial Leaders
Genghis Khan
Adolph Hitler
Joseph Stalin
LEADERSHIP
These are all born leaders…

5. Transformational Leadership
An ideal, often taken for granted
– Visionary
– Inspiring –‘an outstanding
communicator’
– Makes things happen –‘a
steely resolve’
– Heroic
– Empowering

6. Transformational Leadership
An ideal, often taken for granted
– Visionary
– Inspiring –‘an outstanding
communicator’
– Makes things happen –‘a
steely resolve’
– Heroic
– Empowering

7. …but leaders can be made.

8. MODERN LEADERSHIP
• Ensuring Accountability
• Coaching
• Supporting
• Cheerleading

9. One definition of leadership:
Causing others to follow willingly – with energy,
enthusiasm, commitment, sense of ownership,
passion
(and not just to comply with instructions or processes)

10. MODERN LEADERSHIP
Leadership happens between
people
• Leadership is not the
property of the leader…
• …or the followers
• It happens in the moment as
the product of their
interactions

11. MODERN LEADERSHIP
Leadership happens between
people
• Leadership is not the
property of the leader…
• …or the followers
• It happens in the moment as
the product of their
interactions

12. MODERN LEADERSHIP
Leadership happens in a particular context
• There is no one way of leading
• What do you need to do? It depends…
• You have to be in the middle to sense what will
work
• The art of the possible

13. MODERN LEADERSHIP
Leadership happens in a particular context
• There is no one way of leading
• What do you need to do? It depends…
• You have to be in the middle to sense what will
work
• The art of the possible

14. MODERN LEADERSHIP
What you can do as a leader
– Work with ‘What is’
– Communicate Openly
– Know Yourself

15. CONTEXT,CONTEXT,CONTEXT
• Work with‘what is’
– Relationships
– Culture
– Environment
• In the moment –‘the elephant in the room’
• ‘Work with the grain’
• Help others get real

16. CONTEXT,CONTEXT,CONTEXT
• Work with‘what is’
– Relationships
– Culture
– Environment
• In the moment –‘the elephant in the room’
• ‘Work with the grain’
• Help others get real

17. COMMUNICATE OPENLY
• Enough openness and trust
• Enough respect
• Enough conflict
• Thinking together on real issues
• Enough shared values and perspective
• Connect with individuals and groups

18. COMMUNICATE OPENLY
• Enough openness and trust
• Enough respect
• Enough conflict
• Thinking together on real issues
• Enough shared values and perspective
• Connect with individuals and groups

19. KNOW YOURSELF
• Know your strengths and
your limits
• Value your life experiences
• Character not charisma
• Healthy selfishness
• Surfing, sinking, and
swimming

20. KNOW YOURSELF
• Know your strengths and
your limits
• Value your life experiences
• Character not charisma
• Healthy selfishness
• Surfing, sinking, and
swimming

21. A DIFFERENT IDEA OF LEADING
From:
The leader as
Transforming Hero

22. A DIFFERENT IDEA OF LEADING
From:
The leader as
Transforming Hero
To:
The Adaptive
Leader
Holding the space
• Coping with uncertainty,
contradictions, mess
• Helping people to stop and
think
• And enlarging the possibilities
for their people and
organization

23. A DIFFERENT IDEA OF LEADING
From:
The leader as
Transforming Hero
To:
The Adaptive
Leader
Holding the space
• Coping with uncertainty,
contradictions, mess
• Helping people to stop and
think
• And enlarging the possibilities
for their people and
organization

24. BE THE LEADER YOU CAN BE

25. BE THE LEADER YOU CAN BE
…and don’t try to be the leader you think you should be

26. THANK YOU!
FOR MORE FREE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES GO TO
WWW.GRADUTEMPORE.COM
All image licensed under
creative commons licenses