Leaders: Facilitators of Greatness

In 2010, I wrote a short post about “Nine Roles of Great Leadership.”

When I had just started creating sketchnotes in 2015, I created a very rough visual interpretation of the article in form of a sketchnote and shared it on social media. I never imagined that my rough scribble would end up going viral.

Even today, I get requests from people who wish to have a high-resolution version of that rough sketchnote to use in their interventions, print posters and share with others. For them, I revised the sketchnote below.

Here’s what I would add today to the original post.

That leaders do none of these things alone. They’re not heroes and they don’t have all the answers or ideas. They work with others, collaborate, share, listen and facilitate the outcomes. They curate the context of work. They create ecosystems of human engagement. They inspire through their own example. They establish shared purpose that enlists people. They create a safe environment for people to perform. They create systems for individuals and teams to learn constantly. They raise the bar of conduct and accountability for others. It is a two-way conversation that leaders have with their people. They know that they exist in organization so that they can serve others in a meaningful way.

Leaders are facilitators of greatness in individuals, teams and organizations.

A Round-Up of Insights I Loved

“Filtering is a superpower. The people you don’t hang around. The opportunities you don’t accept. The distractions you don’t allow. The relationships you don’t have. The news you don’t read. The content you don’t consume. Saying no is how you turn filtering into action.” – Shane Parrish

“I think the best way to prepare for the future 20 years is find something you love to do, to have a shot at being one of the best people in the world at it. Build an independent brand around it, with your name.” – Naval Ravikant

Reputation is invaluable.

Freedom and independence is invaluable.

Family and friends are invaluable.

Being loved by those who you want to love you is invaluable.

Happiness is invaluable.

Your best shot at keeping these things is knowing when it’s time to stop taking risks that might harm them. Knowing when you have enough.

– Morgan Housel, The Psychology of Money (A fantastic book I just started reading)

“Students in the 21st century must be open to the amazing diversity of possibilities available to them in further education and careers when they leave school. And, while every student will create their own unique path, a solid and common grounding that embraces creativity is essential,” Dr Patston says.” – Which is more creative, the arts or the sciences? (HT: Dan Pink)

Visual Leadership Pack of HD Sketchnotes

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