Be a Leader for Life!

We often reserve the title “leader” for bosses, teachers, and presidents, who are leaders in the “official” sense of the word. However, if we think about it everyone is a leader or has the potential to be one. Whether we are aware of it or not, even seemingly insignificant actions impact the people around us, and we often base our own actions on what we see those around us doing. So how can you become an effective, influential, and positive leader? Doug Gehrman recently published his book Leadership for Life: Your Guide to Becoming a Transformational Leader and joined us this week to share his insights on leadership in the workplace and in daily life.

Be a Leader in Your Job Search

In the first segment of the show Doug Gehrman shared tips on effective leadership and his experience with Job Search: The Total System. Mr. Gehrman is the former director of the MS – Human Resources Management Program at Houston Baptist University, the Managing Director for Bridge Consulting Group, and boasts years of experience in the mortgage banking and energy and petrochemical industries. He also has extensive knowledge of the human resources field, has helped companies manage change and develop leaders, and has spoken at national conferences on numerous topics ranging from knowledge management to leadership. Based on his years of observing leaders and being a leader, Mr. Gehrman thoughtfully penned Leadership for Life: Your Guide to Becoming a Transformational Leader. The book encapsulates his vision of leadership, and throughout it he demonstrates why we are all leaders and how truly transformational leadership emerges from who we are as individuals and is based on our values and inner qualities.

We first met Mr. Gehrman when he utilized Job Search: The Total System to help his employees find the best outplacement opportunities after his company restructured. We asked Mr. Gehrman to reflect on his experience and share some of his impressions of Job Search: The Total System with our listeners. He stated that he was initially struck by how richly all of the essential steps of The Total System were linked together to provide the right focus for people to find the best job. The entire framework of The Total System directs job seekers toward success by giving them the knowledge and confidence necessary to confront the challenges of a job search. He also commented that The Total System is a valuable tool for individuals looking to advance their careers because it imparts advice and encouragement for overcoming the challenges of reinventing oneself and one’s work. One of the final insights that Mr. Gehrman shared regarding Job Search: The Total System, is that the book’s value extends beyond the job search, and that The Total System philosophy can serve as a way of thinking about leadership and life. Planning, being a proactive individual, and leading and building relationships and legacies are vital elements of both a successful job search and a fulfilling life.

Mr. Gehrman also commented on how he specifically envisions the role of leadership in the context of a job search, stating that a search first begins with the positive, proactive decision to commit oneself to finding the right position. Then, having the humility to accept criticism and advice, the self-awareness to follow one’s passions, and the fortitude to do what seems intimidating, are all actions that make the individual both a successful job seeker and a leader.

It is important to consider your passions and values in your job search, especially when you evaluate potential companies. Self-assess, research the company, and ask the right questions in interviews to see if your values are in sync with the company’s. Even in a difficult economy and a challenging job market it is still important to follow your passions and conduct a job search that is true to them. If you cannot find a position in a certain sector, look at related jobs and industries and keep a positive mental attitude.

Leadership is About Taking Positive Action that Benefits Others

We later delved into an enlightening discussion of some of the highlights and themes of Mr. Gehrman’s book Leadership for Life. In the book Mr. Gehrman defines leadership broadly, stating that leadership is quite simply taking the opportunity to make a positive difference. We all have the ability to act in positive ways, and by virtue of this inherent potential for positive action, everyone is already a leader regardless of his or her position in life. We act as leaders by making conscious choices to initiate change and make a difference, and our actions often follow a pattern of what Mr. Gehrman describes as the “leadership framework.” This consists of the individual recognizing what needs to be done, understanding and taking into account external forces, and initiating a course of action. “The leadership framework is linked to every situation and action,” says Mr. Gehrman. He cites the example of an individual taking the initiative to close a classroom door in order to block noise from the hallway, and he defines that simple, seemingly insignificant action as genuine leadership. By linking leadership so closely with our everyday actions, Mr. Gehrman gives it greater ethical weight and ties it to our broader sense of purpose and desire for fulfillment in our lives.

Management vs Leadership

Mr. Gehrman’s book also addresses the importance of differentiating between management and leadership in a job setting. He defines leadership as a state of being and a way of thinking, whereas he attributes concrete skills, knowledge, and intelligence to management. Management gives direction while leadership ultimately sets direction and tone. Genuine leaders therefore possess incredible responsibility, and they must be willing to be vulnerable, admit mistakes, and accept assistance from others in order to be effective. Strong leaders also strive for greater self-understanding because they recognize that their individual backgrounds and experiences shape their visions of reality. Their deeper self-awareness allows them to see situations more objectively, which enables them to plan, strategize, and implement change most effectively.

Even the Ugly Duckling Is Perfect

In the third segment of the show we continued to discuss the nature of leadership and the values and practices of effective leaders. In his book Mr. Gehrman examines the idea of personal perfection and makes the seemingly radical claim that everyone is perfect. He explains that perfection is, by definition, a quality used to describe something that possesses the properties naturally belonging to it. This leads to his conclusion that people are perfect when they simply are who they are by nature. Mr. Gehrman emphasizes looking within ourselves and striving for excellence as valuable and effective ways of tapping into our inner leaders and learning to appreciate our own unique gifts. Just as in the story of the ugly duckling, we all find perfection and fulfillment by being who we truly are and not by fulfilling what others expect us to be. Through self-discovery, unlocking our passions, and pursuing what really matters to us we can find success. We also become more effective leaders and role models for others when we pursue lives of passion and purpose and give meaning to what we do. Mr. Gehrman refers to the Ten Heart Values in his book, which are paradigmatic personal qualities that lead to fulfillment and success. Integrity is the first and foremost quality of an effective leader, and to have integrity means to be true to our values and honest with ourselves. This will then translate to being honest with others, honoring them, and acting in their best interests.

Causes for Leadership Failure

All leaders are confronted with challenges and faced with difficult situations, and these are often defining moments in terms of one’s success or failure as a leader. Mr. Gehrman shared his insights into some of the common causes of leadership failure and how we can avoid these pitfalls. Problems often arise from a leader’s own self-deception and inability to see past personal biases or stereotypes. Inferior leaders often do what they want instead of what is best or what needs to be done, and these shortcomings prevent individuals from clearly assessing situations, determining what is in everyone’s best interest, and acting with empathy and compassion.

Leaders are Spiritually Mature

Mr. Gehrman suggests that effective leadership qualities emanate from spiritual understanding and maturity, and nearly all spiritual people place love and compassion at the epicenter of what they believe. For Mr. Gehrman, values of love and compassion instill a more profound appreciation of other people and prompt individuals to seek happy and productive lives and to live in harmony with those around them. Compassion and empathy enable individuals to remain true to others, and to their own values, interests and strengths, thus allowing them to become transformational leaders, to make valuable contributions to the world, and to lead lives of success and significance.

To listen to the interview visit the Total Career Success Archives.