Thinking Paper #2

A BOOKMARK ON LEADERSHIP: THOUGHTS BY DR. JOHN JACOB GARDINER

If you are not an academic, you may not know that there are two leadership scholars with the name "Gardner." The most recognized, John W. Gardner, was a former U.S. Secretary of State and the author of a classic leadership book, On Leadership. The other, Dr. John Jacob Gardiner, is a Professor of Leadership at Seattle University. Like the other Gardner, Dr. Gardiner has an accomplished history of scholarly work and public leadership, but he has not yet written a book. In the meantime, he's written a bookmark, which reflects his thoughts about leadership best practices. Here's Dr. Gardiner's list:

You can't do it alone.
Surround yourself with great people.
Believe in people.
Clarify your values.
Embrace service to others.
Show love and respect.
Seek first to understand.
Communicate directly.
Build on strengths.
Celebrate diversity.
Create partnerships.
Think possibilities.
Find your passion.
Make conscious choices.
Take responsibility.
Determine measures of effectiveness.
Set the example.
Paint powerful pictures.
Stay focused.
Share your vision.
Repeat your core message.
Be enthusiastic.
Build consensus.
Produce results.
Never give up.
Ask for help.
Keep hope alive.
Celebrate successes.
Take care of yourself.
Laugh often.
Live in gratitude.
Have fun.

These are key competencies of transformational leadership and systems thinking for leaders interested in organizational transformation.

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