3: The Law of Process - 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the 'Law of Process' in leadership development, asserting that leadership is not an innate trait but a skill cultivated over time. They refute the notion of 'born leaders,' suggesting anyone can learn to lead. The talk highlights the importance of understanding the process of leadership, which involves continuous growth and development, rather than expecting instant transformation from a single event like a conference or a book. The speaker illustrates the multifaceted nature of leadership, including influence, navigation, empowerment, and more, and stresses the need for a daily commitment to learning and growth.

Takeaways

• 📚 The Third Law of Leadership is the Law of Process, emphasizing that leadership is developed over time, not in a single day.
• 🌱 People often assume leadership is innate, but the speaker refutes this by stating that anyone can learn to be a leader, highlighting the importance of understanding the process of leadership development.
• 🧠 Leadership is a multifaceted skill that includes influence, navigation, empowerment, relationships, timing, momentum, sacrifice, and attitude.
• 📈 Events can motivate and encourage leaders, but it's the ongoing process that leads to true development and maturity in leadership.
• 🔄 The speaker warns against the misconception of expecting instant results from leadership events, advocating for a continuous process of growth.
• 🚀 The process of leadership development is likened to a culture that fosters daily learning and growth, rather than a one-time event.
• 🛠 The speaker uses the analogy of a rookie quarterback to illustrate the complexity of leadership and the need for ongoing development.
• 📅 Leadership is not a destination but a journey, and the speaker advises against 'microwave' leadership development in favor of a more gradual 'crock pot' approach.
• 📈 Success in leadership is a process, not an event, and the speaker encourages focusing on daily actions that lead to long-term development.
• 🔑 The secret to leadership success lies in daily habits and consistent effort, not in seeking quick fixes or overnight changes.

Q & A

What is the Third Law of Leadership mentioned in the transcript?

The Third Law of Leadership mentioned is the Law of Process, which emphasizes that leadership development is a daily process, not an event that happens in a day.

Why does the speaker love teaching the Law of Process?

The speaker loves teaching the Law of Process because understanding the process of becoming a leader is crucial for effectiveness in leadership, and many people get frustrated without this understanding.

What is the common misconception about leadership that people often ask the speaker?

The common misconception people often ask about is whether leaders are born or not. The speaker humorously points out that all leaders are born, but what people really mean is whether leadership qualities are innate.

What does the speaker believe about leadership qualities being innate?

The speaker believes that while some people may have natural leanings towards leadership, similar to musical talents, anyone can learn to be a leader, and that's why he is passionate about teaching leadership.

What does the speaker say about the difference between events and processes in leadership development?

The speaker explains that events, like attending a conference or reading a book, motivate people, while processes, which involve daily growth and development, mature people into leaders.

How does the speaker describe the relationship between events and processes in leadership?

The speaker describes events as calendar issues that provide motivation, while processes are cultural issues that encourage continuous learning and growth over time.

What does the speaker suggest is the problem with trying to develop leaders quickly?

The speaker suggests that the problem with trying to develop leaders quickly, like microwaving food, is that it results in 'Pop Tart leaders' who lack the depth and development that come from a slow, process-oriented approach.

What does the speaker mean when he says 'we need to start crock potting leaders'?

The speaker means that instead of trying to quickly develop leaders (microwave approach), we should focus on a slower, more nurturing process (like a crock pot) that allows for gradual and substantial development.

What is the significance of the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership in the context of the Law of Process?

The existence of 21 Laws of Leadership signifies that leadership is multifaceted and cannot be learned or mastered instantly, emphasizing the need for a process-oriented approach to leadership development.

How does the speaker differentiate between success and the recognition of success?

The speaker differentiates between success and the recognition of success by stating that success is a journey and a process, not a destination. Recognition of success is often confused with true success, which is about the ongoing process of growth and development.

What is the speaker's advice for those who want to become great leaders?

The speaker's advice is that there is no single thing one needs to know to be a great leader but rather an understanding of multiple facets of leadership that come through continuous learning and daily development.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Law of Process in Leadership

The speaker emphasizes the Law of Process, which posits that leadership is developed daily rather than instantaneously. They highlight the common misconception that leadership is an innate quality, akin to being 'born a leader.' The speaker counters this by asserting that anyone can learn to be a leader, and it is a process that involves continuous growth and development. They discuss the difference between events, which motivate and encourage, and processes, which mature and change individuals. The speaker also touches on the multifaceted nature of leadership, suggesting that it involves more than just one aspect, such as influence, navigation, empowerment, relationships, timing, momentum, sacrifice, and attitude.

05:02

🎓 The Multifaceted Nature of Leadership

In this segment, the speaker recounts an interaction with a young, enthusiastic person seeking a single piece of advice on leadership. The speaker humorously points out that leadership is not something that can be condensed into a single piece of advice, as it is a complex and multifaceted skill. They elaborate on the various aspects of leadership, including influence, navigation, empowerment, relationships, timing, momentum, sacrifice, and attitude. The speaker uses the analogy of a rookie quarterback in the NFL to illustrate the extensive knowledge and skills required to be an effective leader, which cannot be acquired overnight. They advocate for a gradual, developmental approach to leadership, comparing the process to 'crock potting' rather than 'microwaving' leaders.

10:02

🗺️ The Journey of Success and Leadership

The speaker discusses the concept of success as a journey rather than a destination, using the anecdote of a book title that was intended to be 'Your Roadmap to Success' but was corrected to 'Your Roadmap for Success' to reflect the ongoing nature of success. They stress that true success is not about achieving a particular status or recognition but is instead a continuous process of development and growth. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of daily actions and habits in shaping one's success, suggesting that it is the routine and consistent efforts that lead to significant achievements in leadership.

Keywords

💡Law of Process

The Law of Process is a central theme of the video, emphasizing that leadership development is not an instantaneous event but a gradual process that occurs over time. It is the idea that leaders are not born with all the skills but must grow into their roles through continuous learning and experience. In the script, the speaker uses this concept to explain why people should not expect to become effective leaders after a single event or reading a single book, but rather through daily commitment to learning and growth.

💡Leadership

Leadership, as discussed in the video, is the ability to influence others and guide them towards a common goal. It is not just about having a position of authority but about the capacity to navigate, empower, and build relationships. The speaker clarifies that leadership is a multifaceted skill that involves various aspects such as timing, momentum, and sacrifice, and it cannot be mastered in a day but requires daily development.

💡Event vs. Process

The speaker distinguishes between an 'event' and a 'process' in the context of leadership development. An event is a one-time occurrence, like attending a conference or reading a book, which can motivate and inspire but does not guarantee lasting change. In contrast, a process is ongoing and involves consistent effort and growth over time. The speaker argues that while events can be calendared and are easy to attend, processes are more about cultivating a culture of continuous learning and development.

💡Influence

Influence is presented as a fundamental aspect of leadership. It refers to the capacity to affect the thoughts, actions, or behaviors of others. The speaker notes that while influence is necessary for leadership, it is not sufficient on its own. One can have influence without being an effective leader, indicating that leadership encompasses a broader set of skills and qualities.

💡Navigation

Navigation is described as the ability to guide people from one point to another, which is crucial for a leader. It implies having a vision and the ability to plan and execute strategies to achieve goals. The speaker uses this term to illustrate that leadership is not just about having a direction but also about effectively getting there, which is part of the developmental process.

💡Empowerment

Empowerment in the video refers to the leader's ability to inspire and enable others to achieve more. It is about giving people the confidence and tools they need to perform at their best. The speaker suggests that while empowerment is a key leadership quality, it is one of many facets and cannot be developed in isolation from other leadership skills.

💡Relationships

Relationships are highlighted as an essential component of leadership. A leader must be able to build and maintain positive relationships with team members and stakeholders. The speaker points out that getting along with people is necessary but not sufficient for leadership; one must also have the ability to guide and influence effectively.

💡Timing

Timing in leadership refers to the ability to make decisions and take actions at the right moment. It is about recognizing and seizing opportunities and knowing when to act. The speaker mentions that timing is a critical aspect of leadership that requires careful consideration and is developed through experience and learning.

💡Momentum

Momentum in the context of leadership is the building and maintaining of a positive and forward-moving force within a team or organization. The speaker discusses how getting the 'Big Mo' going is important for a leader to keep the organization moving in the right direction. It is a dynamic aspect of leadership that is developed and nurtured over time.

💡Sacrifice

Sacrifice is presented as a necessary part of leadership, where a leader may need to give up personal interests or comfort for the sake of the team or organization. The speaker emphasizes that while sacrifice is a key quality, it is one of many that a leader must develop and that it alone does not make a great leader.

💡Attitude

Attitude is discussed as the mindset and outlook a leader brings to their role. A positive attitude can inspire and motivate others, but the speaker notes that even with a great attitude, one is not guaranteed to be an effective leader. It is one piece of the leadership puzzle that must be developed in conjunction with other skills.

Highlights

Leadership is a process that develops daily, not in a day.

Understanding the process is crucial for effective leadership and avoids frustration.

Leaders are not born with innate leadership; it's a skill that can be learned and developed.

The misconception that leadership is an inherent trait is debunked.

Leadership involves continuous growth and development, not a one-time event.

People often overestimate the impact of a single event and underestimate the power of consistent processes.

Events encourage decisions, while processes encourage development.

The process of leadership is about maturing and consistently growing as a leader.

Leadership events are calendar issues, while the process is a cultural issue that happens daily.

Leadership is multifaceted, involving more than just one aspect such as influence or timing.

There are 21 irrefutable laws of leadership, indicating the complexity and depth of the subject.

Leadership includes aspects like navigation, empowerment, relationships, timing, momentum, sacrifice, and attitude.

The desire for quick leadership development is compared to microwaving, which leads to 'Pop Tart leaders'.

Cultivating leaders should be like slow cooking in a crock pot, allowing for gradual and substantial development.

Success in leadership is a journey, not a destination, and is found in daily actions, not a single event.

The secret to success in leadership lies in daily agenda and consistent effort, not in seeking overnight success.

Transcripts

the third law is the law of process and

the law process says leadership develops

daily not in a day this is an incredible

law I love to teach it and the reason I

love to teach it is because if a person

can understand process they're going to

be very effective as a leader but if

they don't understand the process of

becoming a leader they're gonna get very

frustrated let me explain to you how

many times when I when I do leadership

conferences when we have a Q and a

period of time the probably the most

common question asked me and I do

leadership conference somebody raised

their head and say John here's a

question our leaders born and whenever

they ask me the question our leaders

born always look at them I always say of

course they are think about that

question

I've never met an unborn leader don't

particularly want to either thank you

very much now what they're really asking

this is not asking our leaders born what

they're really asking us are their

leaders that are people when they're

born that kind of got it you know what

I'm saying they got it in our other

people when they're they're born they

don't got it I suppose if you got it

aleem if you don't got it you get in

line you know what I mean and hope

there's a water fountain at the end

somewhere okay that's a very important

question because what I have found is

this and this is so huge what I have

found is there are a lot of people who

just think you either have it or you

don't have it and I can tell you right

now that is not true there are people

that have leadership leanings of course

there are just like there are people

that are born to have kind of musical

leanings so there are leanings toward

leadership that some people have that

other people don't have but anyone can

learn to be a leader in fact that's why

I have such a passion teach leadership

that's why I have such a passion to

teach these laws because if you learn

these laws it becomes absolutely amazing

how well you're going to be able to to

learn to lead so let me take a moment

and explain to you a couple important

thoughts in this law in your notes we

overestimate the event and we

underestimate

the process I have found this to be very

common with people in leadership they

overestimate what an event will do for

them they come to a Leadership

Conference or they read a leadership

book they say oh my goodness this is so

good and and and this is gonna make me a

leader this is going to change me now

let me just explain to you that there

was between the event and the process

because this will help you understand

the law process for example when you go

to a leadership event I'm talking about

like going to Leadership Conference

reading the leadership book okay

listening to a leadership lecture okay

when you go to a leadership event that

encourages decisions that's what it

doesn't know what you go and they say oh

my goodness I know it's important for me

to to lead so I'm gonna make a decision

for example when I taught you the law of

the lid and said that everything's gonna

rise and fall on your leadership many of

you made a choice probably you said oh

my goodness then if that's the truth and

my my little leadership is going to

determine how affected by him in my

business I'm gonna have to learn lead

that's a decision events encourage

decisions the process encourages

development the emphasis in process is

continued to grow and develop yourself

the event motivates people we all love

to come and be motivated and encouraged

but the process matures people and we're

wanting to mature you as a leader to

motivate you yes but mature you is much

more important the event is a calendar

issue you just say okay on on this

certain date I'm gonna go to an event

and learn some leadership whereas the

process is a culture issue it's being in

an environment or a culture that

encourages you every day to learn every

day to grow every day to develop

yourself as a leader the event

challenges people I find that I'm

challenged when I go to leadership

events but the process changes people

why because you can't change overnight

you can make a sudden decision but you

can't make a sudden change that's a

process and there's a lot of difference

between that you see here's what I think

I think I think the event is easy and I

think the process is difficult

and I want to encourage you as you're

watching these training tapes to

understand that it's a process and it's

not one day one time one book one

lecture that's going to change your life

but it's going through the process of

doing that and the reason that

leadership must be a process is because

leadership is many-faceted

in fact think about it for a moment

there are 21 irrefutable laws of

leadership just the very fact there are

21 laws of leadership tells you you just

can't absorb it or you can't learn it or

you can't apply it instantly I was doing

a leadership lecture in oh I don't know

a couple years ago doing a conference

and I'll never forget during the break I

was signing books and and this kid came

up to me and he's just out of college

and kind of probably a business major

and he was all excited about leadership

what he was learning and I could see his

passion I love kids because you know

they just have a great passion so I came

up to me and he kind of gets in my face

a little bit and he said okay John he

said I love this leadership stuff so

I've been listening to you all day so I

got a question so what's your question

he said he said what's the one thing I

need to know about leadership I thought

oh my so I sucked it up to get energy

you know here we go I got to match this

kids intense and I so I looked at him

and I kind of got in his face and I said

the one thing you need to know to be a

great leader is that there is more than

one thing you need to know to be a great

leader in fact I said there are 21

things that you need to know to be a

great leader now you see here's the kid

what's he doing he's trying to take

leadership and condense it he's

basically wanting me to fast food

leadership he's wanting to come to the

window of leadership and get a sack of

leadership you know I'm saying and take

off down the road with the sack of

leadership and kind of eat it on the way

and come out of the car as a great

leader can't happen why because

leadership is many-faceted let me

explain look at your notes for a moment

we've already understood that first of

all leadership is influence

so it certainly is the ability to

influence people but it's more than

influence you show me I can show you

people that have influence but they're

not great leaders isn't that true well

it's it's also secondly navigation

they're the the ability to take people

from point A to point B to Point C so

there's a navigating principle of

leadership and yet I can tell I can show

you people that are tour guides that

aren't good leaders or thirdly it's

empowerment it's the ability to take

people and empower them of course it is

to be able to to put belief in people to

let them go to a higher level on their

own but but it's more than empowerment

number four it's relationships it's

getting along with people you know I

know people who get along with me very

well but they can't lead anything number

five it's time you know there's a huge

amount of timing that's involved in

leadership and the ability to to

understand timing it's it's huge in fact

there's a whole law on it but it's more

than timing number six it's it's

momentum if you if you do timing right

you get the Big Mo going for you and and

it's the ability to dissents and feel

the surge of momentum and organization

but it's more than momentum it's it's

more than just getting the Big Mo going

for you number seven it's sacrifice it's

the ability to to give up so you can go

up of course it is and yet I know people

that they sacrifice and they're still

not great leaders you see you're

beginning to catch this number eight

it's it's attitude it's it's the way you

think and yet I know people have great

attitudes our great leaders now let me

just stop down here so here's what I

think it's very obvious to all of us

right now it's very obvious to all of us

and that is it's a many-faceted in other

words it's the ability to to understand

a lot of things that make you a

well-rounded but or leader it's kind of

like in the NFL and pro quarterbacks

it's it's it's kind of like a rookie

quarterback coming into that major

league it's impossible for for them the

first year to be probably a great

quarterback there's just too much I was

up speaking the other day with the

Cleveland Browns and Butch Davis and the

crew and and they were talking to me and

I I only had a guy give me a 30 minute

teaching on the quarterback at all they

have to learn in their first year I

thought I was amazing that oh my

goodness it's you know read the defenses

and understand the offense and

be able to to to to sense the ships and

be able to change the play in a moment

it is it's a lot of stuff now here's

what I want you to know I think that the

problem is too many times we try to

microwave leaders yeah we put them in a

microwave we get them in our company so

my goodness I gotta get develop some

leaders I got this Maxwell stuff he said

develop leader so come here here y'all

want you to be a leader I think you'd be

a leader here getting the microwave push

him more push a few buttons and zap them

by the way because we microwave some

minute leaves that's why we have so many

Pop Tart leaders running yeah you got a

lot of Pop Tart people in your company

that's because you've been microwaving

to go we need to quit microwaving

leaders and we need to start crock

potting leaders that's huge one more

thought about this a tremendous law of

process that is the secret of our

success is discovered in our daily

agenda what we do every day is the

secret to our success not what we do at

one moment or not what we're going to do

some time a couple of years ago I wrote

a book called your roadmap for success

and I'll never forget when I wrote the

book my publisher wanted to call it your

roadmap to success I said no no no you

can't call it the roadmap to success

because there's no such places success

is not a destination it's a journey it's

a process and so many times we confuse

true success with what I call

recognition of success it's like my

friend one time said to me he said

Johnny said all my life I've worked hard

at being an overnight success bingo

that's so key it's a process the law a

process says leaders developed daily not

in a day