The document discusses Stephen Covey's definition of leadership, which is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves. Covey believes there are four imperatives of leadership: inspiring trust, clarifying purpose, aligning systems, and unleashing talent. The document advises MBA applicants to use Covey's pillars of leadership in their application essays and to show how they have displayed and instilled these leadership values in others.

1. http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/
Stephen Covey: The Type of Leadership
You Want in B-school

2. By the Amerasia Consulting Group,
Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting
Stephen Covey: The Type of Leadership
You Want in B-school
MBA Admissions Consultant | http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com

3. Business school applications are all about laying out how
you have exhibited the qualities of a leader.
After all, this is the quality that b-schools, in general,
desire the most in their applicants.
A lot of my admissions consulting clients struggle with a
succinct definition of leadership. That is, one that they as
the applicant can use as a succinct model.
To this point, my clients and prospective MBA students
ask me what my definition of leadership is.
MBA Admissions Consultant | http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com

4. I believe Stephen Covey covers it well in this article on his
blog. (Ref: http://www.stephencovey.com/blog/?p=6)
Although I have referenced this content below for
convenience and discussion, the full post is found in its
entirely on stephencovey.com.
Q: What makes a great leader?
A: My definition of leadership is communicating to
people their worth and potential so clearly that they
are inspired to see it in themselves.
MBA Admissions Consultant | http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com

5. Q: You often say that leadership is a choice not a
position. Can you elaborate on this?
A: Because of the definition I use for leadership, the
ability to become such a leader is a choice that any
person can make; any parent or grandparent, any
teacher, any coach, any co-worker, and friend.
When I speak throughout the world, I often ask
audiences,
Q: Is there a formula for becoming such a leader?
A: I believe there is a formula. They are what we call
the four imperatives of leadership.
MBA Admissions Consultant | http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com

6. The first is to inspire trust.
The second is to clarify purpose.
The third is to align systems.
The fourth is the fruit of the other three—unleashed
talent.
I would add that these are based upon principles that
build upon each other rather than techniques or steps that
have to be taken independent of each other. These aren’t
“management tricks” but real principles that guide a true
leaders character.
MBA Admissions Consultant | http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com

7. The world is vastly different today and ever-changing. If
we can develop leaders who can withstand and embrace
the changing times by deeply rooting themselves in these
principles of great leadership, then we can develop great
people, great teams and great results.
(Ref: http://www.stephencovey.com/blog/?p=6)
Covey's leadership paradigm is important as a lot of b-
school applications ask for the applicant to provide
meaning leadership experience and examples in their
essay.
MBA Admissions Consultant | http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com

8. Follow Covey’s pillars of leadership and you should have
a good start to your essay.
The trick is to not only discuss how well you fit this
definition but also how you have displayed this style of
leadership during your management responsibilities.
Take your essays a step further by showing how you
have sought to “pay it forward” and instill these values in
those you have led.
MBA Admissions Consultant | http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com

9. If you are interested in the MBA Admissions Consulting services offered by
Amerasia, please email mba@amerasiaconsulting.com to inquire about setting up
a free consultation.
http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/

10. If you are interested in the MBA Admissions Consulting services offered by
Amerasia, please email mba@amerasiaconsulting.com to inquire about setting up
a free consultation.
http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/