| ecret to successful leadership development is | | | | as possible. |
| often pondered by young would-be executives | | | | 2) Don’t be afraid to question your |
| just beginning to climb the ladder of success. The | | | | fundamental beliefs. Many leaders step into the |
| climb up the corporate ladder is intimidating, lined | | | | role with the belief that because things |
| with both ambition and peril. | | | | “have always” been done a certain |
| What does it take to make it all the way to the | | | | way, that is the way they should be done. |
| C-Suite, and how do I get there? | | | | Progressive leadership development encourages |
| What most of these individuals don’t | | | | open minded thinking and a constant quest for |
| realize until much later down the road is that the | | | | improvement. Thinking outside the box is the key |
| secret to successful leadership development is | | | | to setting your feet on the path to success. |
| really no secret at all. | | | | 3) Watch. Listen. Learn. Regardless of your |
| A child first learning how to swim doesn’t | | | | business, unless you’re fortunate enough |
| just jump off of a dock and hope for the best. | | | | to own an island off the coast of Fiji you probably |
| He carefully, deliberately practices his strokes, | | | | spend most of your day surrounded by people. |
| ducking his head under water and emerging | | | | This simple fact is an invaluable resource along the |
| unscathed until he can do so with confidence. Only | | | | course of leadership development. The next time |
| when he is able to swim in the shallow end | | | | you’re in a crowd, take the opportunity |
| without fear is he ready to attempt the wonders | | | | to stop and listen. |
| that wait for him at the end of that dock. | | | | You’ll notice that there are some people |
| The secret to successful leadership development | | | | who seem able to slip seamlessly through life |
| follows precisely the same model. In order to | | | | while others constantly run into walls of opposition, |
| become a successful leader you must first | | | | a distinction that marks the high and low points of |
| practice your strokes and learn to swim in the | | | | leadership development. No school in the world |
| shallow end. Mastering leadership development is a | | | | can teach you precisely the right tone to use |
| series of steps that involves: | | | | when calming an angry client or convincing a |
| 1) Learning from the people who have gone | | | | supplier to see things your way. The lessons you |
| before you. There are literally thousands of | | | | learn in personal interaction and subtle manipulation |
| books, seminars, conferences and training camps | | | | through simply keeping your eyes and ears open |
| dedicated to teaching leadership development, | | | | in your daily activities are priceless. |
| almost all centered around the knowledge and | | | | The secret to successful leadership development |
| experience of executives and former executives | | | | isn’t really a secret at all. An open mind, |
| that have climbed the corporate ladder and are | | | | open ears and a carefully controlled tongue are all |
| now reaching down to pull up the next generation. | | | | you need to take that first step toward your |
| Take advantage of these opportunities as often | | | | future at the top of the corporate ladder. |