Leadership is a complex task. One of the keys to good leadership is to accept that the world is imperfect. To achieve professional and personal success, we must face reality as it is. What strengths managers should have in order to lead today’s organizations, with all their imperfections in terms of structures, resources, and environments?
1. Know how to speak
Silence and verbal incontinence are both negative.
2. Know how to listen
Humility is a learning opportunity.
3. Keep your spirits up
In moments of triumph as well as failure.
4. Don’t seek out compassion
Stay balanced and don’t burden others with your search for comfort.
5. See a coach
It’s a sign of strength, not weekness.
6. Manage your stress
Balance the assumption of responsibilities.
7. Anticipate other people’s problems
Look beyond your own interests.
8. Be able to drop out of projects
Without getting dangerously sentimental.
9. Don’t take on more than you can handle
As if failure were not possible
10. Cut and rest
Keep your ideas clear.
11. Delegate and teach
Don’t rely disproportionately on your own resources.
12. Manage imperfection
Eschew rejection and anger.
13. Don’t get angry when criticized
Resist with patience.
14. Accept the unsolvable
Don’t get angry with reality.
Javier Fernández Aguado
Director of the “laCaixa” Banking Foundation Management Chair
IE Business School