Identify : When I coach leaders as part of the executive education program at Harvard Business School, the course begins with a leadership journey exercise that guides individuals to reflect on the major milestone events throughout their lives - including challenges, transitions, major influences and pivotal events. But how? Let’s look at three steps that I teach leaders take to use defining moments to become better. And the founder-CEO who counts his immigrant experience as main defining moment is likewise well-known as a risk-savvy change agent and proponent for diversity.ĭefining moments can help us become authentic leaders and harness what Bill George calls our True North or “the internal compass that guides us successfully through life,” orients us and keeps us on track as leaders. For instance, the CFO who told me about managing the tragic loss of both her parents and sister in the same year also happens to be recognized by peers for her remarkable professional resilience. Similarly, in my work coaching executives and leading assessments for c-suite development and succession, I have come to see that leaders who identify and draw inspiration from the defining moments in their lives are inevitably better equipped to manage the everyday challenges of leadership. Warren Bennis called them crucibles, “after the vessels medieval alchemists used in their attempts to turn base metals into gold.” Research by Bennis and his co-author Bob Thomas showed that “…the skills required to conquer adversity and emerge stronger and more committed than ever are the same ones that make for extraordinary leaders.” Defining moments are an important part of the leadership experience.
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