Seven Disciplines of A Leader

1Welcome to LeadershipNature of the Job

Today, there's an unprecedented demand for highly effective leaders. As organizations strive to stay competitive in the tough global marketplace, the ability to develop effective leaders has become increasingly difficult. Organizations are facing—or must face—the reality that effective leaders, at every level, can make or break them.

An aging workforce and retiring baby boomers compound the challenge. Where will tomorrow's leaders come from? Smart organizations must identify and train their talent to meet rigorous leadership demands, or they risk failure.

The Need for Leadership Is Greater Now Than Ever Before

The Gallup Business Journal had it right in its March 25, 2014, article, “Why Great Managers Are So Rare.” According to authors Randall Beck and Jim Harter, “Companies place the wrong leadership candidates in the job 82 percent of the time.”

Think about that number for a moment: 82 percent? Is it any wonder that so many companies fall by the wayside? As Beck and Harter put it, “Bad managers cost businesses billions of dollars each year, and having too many of them can bring down a company. The only defense against this problem is a good offense, because when companies get these decisions wrong, nothing fixes it. Businesses that get it right, however, and hire managers based on talent, will thrive and gain a significant competitive advantage.”

The lack of effective leadership is further evidenced by the staggering number of employees ...