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« Henry Ford Dies Today in 1947 | Leading Blog Main Page | A Tutorial On Letter Writing » 04.08.07
Lee Iacocca’s 9 C's of Leadership 1. A leader has to show CURIOSITY. He has to listen to people outside of the "Yes, sir" crowd in his inner circle. He has to read voraciously, because the world is a big, complicated place. If a leader never steps outside his comfort zone to hear different ideas, he grows stale. If he doesn't put his beliefs to the test, how does he know he's right? The inability to listen is a form of arrogance. It means either you think you already know it all, or you just don't care. 2. A leader has to be CREATIVE, go out on a limb, be willing to try something different. You know, think outside the box. Leadership is all about managing change -- whether you're leading a company or leading a country. Things change, and you get creative. You adapt. 3. A leader has to COMMUNICATE. I'm not talking about running off at the mouth or spouting sound bites. I'm talking about facing reality and telling the truth. 4. A leader has to be a person of CHARACTER. That means knowing the difference between right and wrong and having the guts to do the right thing. Abraham Lincoln once said, "If you want to test a man's character, give him power." 5. A leader must have COURAGE. I'm talking about balls. (That even goes for female leaders.) Swagger isn't courage. Tough talk isn't courage. Courage is a commitment to sit down at the negotiating table and talk. 6. To be a leader you've got to have CONVICTION -- a fire in your belly. You've got to have passion. You've got to really want to get something done. 7. A leader should have CHARISMA. I'm not talking about being flashy. Charisma is the quality that makes people want to follow you. It's the ability to inspire. People follow a leader because they trust him. That's my definition of charisma. 8. A leader has to be COMPETENT. That seems obvious, doesn't it? You've got to know what you're doing. More important than that, you've got to surround yourself with people who know what they're doing. 9. You can't be a leader if you don't have COMMON SENSE. THE BIGGEST C IS CRISIS. Leaders are made, not born. Leadership is forged in times of crisis.
Posted by Michael McKinney at 01:46 PM
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Comments
I am ready to stand next to Mr. Iacocca.
Posted by: John Balmer | April 19, 2007 02:33 PM
Hi, John Balmer can you email me please regarding Lee's statements. I have been feeling the same way for quite some time. We need to discuss organization. Thanks. email is rlinet@gmail.com
Posted by: Rick Linet | April 21, 2007 07:01 AM
Mr. Iacocca's book was very well done! Except, on page 40 he refers to our Nation as a "democracy". We ARE NOT!
The United States is a "Constitutional Republic"
The Founding Fathers did not ever use the term in their writings. The use of the word there will cause much confussion in the minds of readers not being aware of the true meaning of a democracy. A democracy is pure majority rule without the Constitution over it!
This is a simplified note, but I am sure you understand.
Posted by: George E. Strawbridge | May 21, 2007 01:50 PM
The ideas expressed in Mr. Iacocca's book are both profound and obvious. I am sure many Americans are ready to stand up and next to him. The changes he suggests have to happen to save this country. I would like to see Michael Moore and Lee Iacocca collaborate to turn this book into a movie and get the word and the ideas out in front of the public before the next election turns into yet another fiasco!
Posted by: Kenneth Karlin | July 3, 2007 11:38 AM
Mr. Iacocoa writes a great book on leadership, but when he used John Murtha as a leader with forward thinking and integrity, he lost a lot of credibility. Anyone with common sense who saw Mr. Murtha's FBI/ Abscam's tape or follows his frequent earmarking approach to legislating, would see another "bought" pol who flunks leadership 101.
Posted by: Dave S | November 2, 2007 06:39 AM
Mr. Iacocca: You helped change the way we finance new vehicles in the 80's thanks to my work on 3% financing with Treasury planning at Chrysler while you were CEO. I sent you a copy of my book "A Peek from the Pit" You have the opportunity to change the way government finances itself and I would suggest you read " What's the difference between bankers and counterfeiters " by William F. Hixson available on Amazon.com. He is also the author of "A Matter of Interest" published by Preager, and also "Triumph of the Bankers" also published by Preager. These are all available on Amazon.com.
Posted by: Andre Marentette | November 6, 2007 09:01 AM
I am a teacher and I just read the 3-4 pages on his education "piece". I have only been a teacher for 5 years and Lee is right on the money when he describes what teachers are going thru!
After 5 years, most drop off the face of the earth. Students are "running" the classrooms and parents do not want to be accountable for thier own kids! Most go to school to socialize and learning is only just a piece of the pie! Our salaries are ridiculous...I am just weighting the pros and cons of my decision to stay in education!
Larisa Lunsford
MBA
Math Teacher 7th Grade
Posted by: Larisa Lunsford | November 29, 2007 04:54 PM
I'm ready Lee, let's go!
Posted by: William Waldo | February 20, 2008 08:22 AM