Leadership Library

Summary

"A leader's role is to raise people's aspirations for what they can become and to release their energies so they will try to get there."

David Gergen is Editor-at-large at U.S. News & World Report and political analyst for CNN and PBS, David Gergen has served as a White House adviser to four presidents; Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton. He is also a professor at Harvard's School of Public Leadership. An active participant in American national life for 30 years, Gergen has a lifetime of experience in observing and participating in high-capacity leadership, which he’s distilled into seven vital elements needed for future leaders. The author of Eyewitness to Power, he firmly believes that by identifying the traits of other leaders (and learning from their mistakes), we can increase our own effectiveness and leadership potential.

Reflection or Discussion Questions

1. David encourages leaders to engage in what he calls "reflective practice" to improve their leadership skills. One aspect of reflective practice is reading. Another is reflecting on recent leadership decisions and actions to see what you can learn.
• a. Think about a recent situation in which you had to exercise leadership and answer the following questions.
• What did I do right?
• What did I do wrong?
• What have I learned from the experience?
• b. If this exercise is helpful to you, you may want to take time in the next few days to do as Peter Drucker suggests:
• Write down what you want to accomplish in the next six weeks.
• Write down how you're going to get there.
• When the six weeks are over, go back and answer three questions:
1. How far did I get?
2. What did I do right?
3. What did I do wrong?
2. David states that a leader's personal habits are very important to their success. Review the list below and check the habits that are a challenge for you right now.
• I regularly engage in reading or learning about leadership principles and ideas in order to stretch myself.
• I regularly reflect on my own leadership through journaling or writing in order to capture what I've learned and improve my leadership skills.
• I take time every day or almost every day for physical fitness.
• I pay attention to my diet and try to eat well most of the time.
• I regularly spend time doing something I enjoy that refuels me.
• I get enough sleep, either during the night or by taking naps when needed.
• I regularly spend time with those I cherish and who cherish me.
• I spend time alone with God every day.
• Other: ________________________________