How to Lead, 5th Edition

Part 2

People: Make your network work

Introduction

Much of the leadership industry is based on the idea of the leader as a hero. Fame-hungry CEOs write their self-serving autobiographies. The speaking circuit is full of individuals sharing their inspirational stories. You can find endless books on the great leader heroes of history. This is misleading and unhelpful. It is unhelpful because most of us are not heroic and never will be. Even if Genghis Khan and Nelson Mandela are the right role models, we will struggle to copy them. Fortunately, we do not need to copy them and we do not need to be heroes.

The best leaders do not even try to do it all themselves, not even Genghis Khan or Nelson Mandela. They surround themselves with great people. ...