Thank you for the feedback; glad it made sense! Have a great week!
Ken

Victor – thanks for the feedback! It’s a challenge to reconcile; I rewrote this one several times. A big help was coming across Stuart Taylor’s phrase, “Assertive Humility” He further defines it as having “a sense of purpose and a sense of modesty.” I think people expect vision and direction from their leader, but also want to know that what they do matters. The challenge to the leader is to provide both.

Appreciate the comment, have a great week!
Ken

Tharesa – I agree. Servant Leadership is the right approach but the name may give people the wrong idea.

It’s not about “me” it’s about “us” and moving resolutely to the vision. The servitude is to the “us” and that vision, but sometimes it takes assertiveness to ensure accountability and focus.

It is a balance, as you say, and not always an easy one. Being female adds another layer of complexity. Consider reading Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In if you haven’t – some great insights there.
Thanks for the comment, and have a great week!
Ken

It is a balance and when you mix in being a female leader then it adds another leader. I love humility, servant and leadership in the same sentence.

Mark – many thanks! Credit to Stuart Taylor (linked above) for the Assertive Humility phrase – it hit the right nerve the moment I saw it.

Exactly right on Smith’s story. First came across him while reading “Quiet” by Susan Cain. He and those like him profiled by Collins resonated with me because they match my experience in the military – the best leaders I worked for were closer to Smith than Patton in temperament, and absolutely focused on the higher mission. The leader has to care, has to listen, seeks to understand, but at some point he has to decide and execute with focus and energy.

My best to you as you pursue your studies; thank you for your great comment.

Ken

This is a very cogent, focused piece on the essence of tranformational or servant leadership. I had not heard the phrase “assertive humility.” I like it…

As in Collins, John Kotter, and in such texts as “Leading at the Edge,” and many others effective leaders have all of the qualities you outline. I would add that they also are the embodiment of the organization’s aspirations and values — and they are non-negotiable qualities. Your example, I believe, is at least in part reflecting the paradoxical life of Darwin Smith, former CEO of Kimberly-Clark. What a profile! A great example of these traits and being keenly focused on the vision (desired end state).

I’ve been a student of leadership for about 15 years now, with a master’s in project management and now in the higher education leadership doctoral program at a large university. A critical challenge in higher education is to develop and maintain the ability to effect and accelerate positive change in order to achieve fiscal and operational sustainability.

Thanks for your work and service to our nation!