Herminia Ibarra - Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader

Summary

The script explores the ongoing debate about whether leaders are born or made, emphasizing that real leadership is a skill that can be cultivated through practice and effort. Leadership requires a variety of abilities, not just innate traits, and involves the willingness to influence and guide others toward a collective goal. It suggests expanding one's network, taking on new challenges, and experimenting with different leadership styles. Ultimately, it highlights the importance of acting and reflecting on those actions, as true leadership growth comes from experiencing and adapting through practice rather than overthinking.

Takeaways

• 😀 Leadership can be cultivated through practice and hard work, not just an innate trait.
• 😀 Being the first to get involved in a group does not automatically mean you are providing the leadership required.
• 😀 True leadership involves the ability to influence a group towards a collective goal, which requires a broad range of skills.
• 😀 These leadership skills must be developed intentionally over time, through experience and effort.
• 😀 Expanding your network and interacting with new people helps you learn and improve as a leader.
• 😀 Stepping out of your everyday routine allows you to gain new insights that can contribute to better leadership.
• 😀 Trying new leadership experiences, such as joining a task force or industry association, provides opportunities to practice leadership in different ways.
• 😀 Experimenting with different leadership styles, such as shifting from collaborative to directive, helps you learn and grow.
• 😀 True leadership development requires action—one must act to learn and adapt, rather than only thinking and reflecting.
• 😀 Reflecting and planning are important, but the key to leadership growth is acting and experimenting to develop new ways of thinking and behaving.

Q & A

Are leaders born or made?

The answer depends on how you define leadership. Leadership is not just about being the first to speak or getting involved; it involves influencing a group toward a common goal, and this requires a variety of skills that can be developed over time.

What is the key to developing leadership skills?

Leadership skills can be cultivated through practice, hard work, and a genuine desire to lead. It's not an innate ability, but something that can be learned and improved upon.

How can expanding your network help improve leadership?

Expanding your network exposes you to new ideas and perspectives. By engaging with people outside your everyday routine, you gain valuable insights that can improve your ability to influence and lead.

What are some practical ways to develop leadership?

One way is to engage in new projects, join task forces, or participate in industry associations. These opportunities provide platforms to lead in different ways and experiment with various leadership styles.

What role does experimentation play in leadership development?

Experimenting with different leadership styles helps you learn what works best for you. For instance, if you're naturally collaborative, trying a more directive approach, or vice versa, can teach you important lessons about the impact of different leadership behaviors.

Is introspection enough to become a better leader?

Introspection alone is not enough. While reflecting on your leadership can be useful, true growth comes from acting and learning through practice. You can't think your way into becoming a better leader—you must act your way into it.

What does it mean to act your way into a new way of thinking?

Acting your way into a new way of thinking means that leadership skills are developed through real-world experiences and actions, rather than just planning and reflecting on what you want to do.

Why is it important to step outside your routine for leadership growth?

Stepping outside your routine allows you to encounter new challenges and opportunities that can help you grow as a leader. It broadens your experiences and encourages you to think and act differently, leading to personal leadership development.

What is the impact of trying new leadership styles?

Trying new leadership styles can help you discover more effective ways of leading. By experimenting with different approaches, you can learn what resonates with your team and what drives the collective goal forward.

Can leadership skills be learned by anyone?

Yes, leadership skills can be learned by anyone. The key is to have the desire to lead, be open to learning, and be willing to put in the effort and practice required to cultivate the necessary skills.