Job Hunting Leaders...

We know that we are still in recession; and yet even if we're not in
recession, there could still be a few displaced personnel including
"leaders." Does this then mean that these people are not good
enough?

See, first, not because one is a leader, he is employed... for many
leaders could be unemployed too. But that does not mean they are
no good. Most of the leaders who are employed are just fortunate
enough to be with a strong organization. They are where they are,
not necessarily because they are better than the others, but because
they were just at the right place at the right time.

Do we hear someone say, "What about the education factor?"

Well, yes, a good education certainly helps. It's good training. This
is in fact the basis of traditional recruiters on up and coming leaders.
Not really bad. But take note that not because one does not come
from Harvard, it means that he's a lesser mortal. For haven't you
thought of the money factor? Or even luck?

Like, if General Gott had not been killed in a plane crash, for instance,
Montgomery would not have taken over the Eighth Army. You would
be foolish if you didn't recognize the hand of luck. It's an uncomfortable
factor to live with, but it is undeniably there in every sphere of life.

If you are going to be effective as a Leader, however, you need to
adopt a positive policy towards luck. The worse strategy you can adopt
is to rely upon luck, except in extreme circumstances where there is
literally nothing else you can do.

Just remember, everything can be learnt; but progress is mainly
dependent on the person concerned, on how well he handles
opportunities.

What about the experience factor?

Ah, experience again.
Ask yourself then, "How could one get experience if he was not
given that opportunity? How could one prove his worth if he was
not given the chance?" Hence, understand that experience is a
matter of exposure.

And more so...
"Experience is as to intensity and not duration." - Thomas Hardy

Nonetheless, how you will react in a very senior Leadership position
will not be know until you get there. You may drag it down to your
level of incompetence, or you may grow into the job. How you actually
perform in that position will largely depend upon your self-development.

Thus, as a job hunting Leader, you should be responsible and
proactive in your Leadership development programme.
For Leadership can not really be taught, it can only be learnt. If you
work hard at it... given a modicum of potential... you will improve.
Indeed, someone of modest natural ability who works hard at the task,
team and individual circles will eventually outstrip a person of high
natural ability who is lazy and instinctive about it, for the latter's faults
will grow bigger like weeds over the years. He will not be able to
transfer his learnings from one situation to another because he has
never understood why he was successful in terms of principles.
It is sad to see a natural leader go bad, but it has happened more
than once.

Let your job hunting then be seasoned with good preparation, in turn,
luck will very soon smile at you.

Remember...
"Work hard at Leadership today, and tomorrow will take care of itself."