In my opinion, I believe that Goleman is saying in order to be a complete leader, one must have emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence meaning that one must have a complete knowledge of their emotions and leadership capabilities. Also, leaders must have the "complete package." Meaning that they must possess all the traits of a successful leader, and not just some of them. The leaders that lack in certain leadership traits are known as, according to Goldman, one winged creatures. These are leaders that seem to lack certain leadership traits, and do not have a complete knowledge of their emotions.
Complete leaders must contain many traits. One trait is self regulation. This is a component of emotional intelligence that allows individuals to control their emotions. By having self regulation, a leader's integrity may also increase. Complete leaders must also have motivation. A leader with motivation will strive to get things done, and will always strive to achieve. Good leader's must also have social skills. To summarize the definition of what social skills are, it is friendliness with a purpose, that has the ability people in the direction you desire. Leaders must also have empathy.
An example of what a 'two-winged creature', might look like would be a captain of the football team. For example, during two-a-days, everybody on the team is complaining how hot it is, and how much they wish they could be somewhere else. As a team captain, it is his job to lead by example. As a captain, more than likely a senior, he has a motivation to win the state championship, which is hopefully also the goal for the team as a whole. Also, it is his job to work to keep the morale of the team up by being empathetic, but also, he needs to use self regulation to keep a positive attitude, even if he has a bad attitude as well.
David, I love your Credo and think it played well on the VT. The key to a great Credo, I think, is that someone like me -- when reading/listening to it -- says, "yeah, that is exactly close to how I know David to be." I think you have that going here.
ReplyDeleteYou two most recent blog posts are also quite good. I particularly like how you have reflected on the concept of being an introvert. Remember, this is essentially how you restore your energy. You, like me, can be highly competent and capable in a social environment, but when it comes to gathering energy, needing to process something that has happened, or make a key decision we need time on our own to think it through.
Your Goleman post was also solid, though the two winged bird refers primarily to a balance between intellect and emotional intelligence, more than just having "all the leadership skills."
Very good work here, David!