Best Leaders are Self Aware, Lousy ones are not

Self Awareness differentiates the best leaders from also rans, 12/9/13
*******************************************************

It is about 3 months since graduation from JWMI. One of the greatest things about Jack Welch's MBA program is the opportunity to continue learning about leadership even after graduation.

Here are some fantastic insights from Jack & Suzy Welch I picked up today.

Lousy Leadership lacks Self Awareness

1. Blowhards
************
Behavior: in-your-face, know-it-all, does not listen, deaf to ideas, bad personality
Impact: New ideas do not get heard, debated, expanded, improved; every voice not heard; deadly silence created; Dangerous

2. Too Remote
**************
Behavior: Not engaged with team; emotionally distant; delegates messy/sweaty people stuff
Impact: No passion; They cannot inspire; no followers; Dangerous

3. Jerks
********
Behavior: Nasty, Bullying, Insensitive, Abusive, Disrespectful, Finger-pointing, may deliver numbers
Impact: Does not win people's trust; Dangerous when protected from above

4. Too Nice
***********
Behavior: Says Yes to everyone; No edge - no capacity to make hard decisions; Scared - CYA
Impact: Confusing messages; hard decisions don't get made

5. No guts to differentiate
***************************
Behavior: Does not deliver candid, rigorous performance reviews; Sprinkles resources on weak businesses or dubious investment proposals
Impact: Star performers & Laggards given similar rewards;
People do not have an opportunity to grow, succeed and build a thriving enterprise
Promising growth opportunities do not get outsized infusions of cash & people they need;
Most Destructive to people

Reference
Welch & Welch, (2009). "Five Bosses You Don't Want (Or Want to Be)"
http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20131209210429-86541065-four-bosses-you-don-t-want-or-want-to-be?trk=nus-cha-roll-art-title