Monthly Archives: April 2014

Leadership Skills You Can and Must Learn

One of the key elements in business success and even life in general is the ability to demonstrate leadership. Unfortunately, leadership is seldom taught in business school. Most often leaders arise from on the job training. That means managers tend to repeat leadership styles they experienced themselves, and so often perpetuate poor leadership skills. But good leadership skills can be learned and used effectively by almost anyone.
One of the best laboratories for learning and understanding leadership is in the military. A case in point is Alan Snider, Chief Master Sergeant, USAF retired. We recently had a conversation with Chief Al for the Business Builders Round Table Pod Cast.. Al joined the Air Force right out of high school and eventually rose to the highest rank and level of responsibility for an enlisted man in the Air Force. He has much to say about how he learned and applied leadership skills in both military and civilian environments.

Leadership with Al Snider, USAF (retired) Segment 3

Because leadership is seldom taught in business schools, most often leaders arise with only on-the-job training. Managers tend to repeat the style of leadership they experienced themselves in the past, perpetuating poor leadership skills. But good leadership skills can be learned and used effectively by almost anyone. In this third and final segment of our conversation with Chief Al, he explains different leadership styles in the context of how they relate to the task at hand. Situational leadership is a tried and true leadership model first espoused by Harvard professor, Dr. Paul Hersey and retired US Navy Admiral, Kenneth H. Blanchard. Chief Al gives us a great learning example of how this model of leadership works in the real world. Finally, Al wraps up our conversation by relating a cornerstone of leadership to a quote made over 2000 years ago.

Listen to the Podcast:

Alan Snider USAF (retired) talks with us about cornerstones of leadership, Segment 1

One of the key elements in business success and certainly life in general is the ability to lead well. Leadership skills can be learned by any one, if given the tools. Leadership is seldom taught in the classroom, so most men and women come to it through on-the-job training. One of the best laboratories for learning and understanding leadership skill is in the military. A brilliant example of that process is our guest today, Alan Snider, Chief Master Sergeant, USAF (retired). Al joined the USAF as a young airman out of high school, but rose to become one of the senior most enlisted men in his branch of the service. For over six years Al served as Command Chief for the 4th Weather Wing, responsible of over 2,000 men and women through out the globe. Al earned a reputation for getting things done. He also possesses a unique ability to articulate his life experiences. In our recent conversation he walks us through what he thinks are key elements of learning to lead well. We have broken down the conversation into three segments, each giving diverse points, but all pointing to the importance of leading others with skill and heart.

Listen to the Podcast:

A Driven Man

Have you ever known someone who is “driven” by a strong motivation or focus to succeed? I usually think about this as a characteristic shared by a few men I have known, but I have also experienced hard driving women as well. Perhaps you are one of these people. Often you see these alpha males and females in high level managerial positions, as successful entrepreneurs or small business owners. Ever wish you were one? I have.

Here are some of the characteristics that Gordon MacDonald in his book Ordering Your Private World lists to describe the driven man or woman:

  • Most often gratified their by accomplishments
  • Preoccupied with symbols of accomplishment
  • Caught in an uncontrolled pursuit of expansion
  • Limited regard toward integrity
  • Not likely to hone people skills
  • Tendency to be highly competitive
  • Often possess a volcanic force of anger
  • Usually abnormally busy, are adverse to play
  • Often avoids spiritual things

Do you know this person? Are YOU this person? How would you describe balance in this person’s life? Next time we will contrast the driven man or woman with one who is “called” to a task or profession.