The Leadership Vector

Leadership. Without it, nothing happens. With it, groups of people can move heaven and earth. What makes up Leadership?

The best way to really understand Leadership is as a "Vector", but let me explain what that means. Back when I was in engineering school, I learned about vectors as part of the physics and dynamics of objects.

Definition of VECTOR: From http://physics.about.com/cs/mathsforphysics/g/vector.htm
A quantity in which both the magnitude and the direction must be stated. Force, velocity and field strength are examples of vector quantities.

• Note that distance and speed are scalar quantities whereas displacement and velocity are vector quantities. Vector quantities are often denoted by boldface type for with an arrow above or a bar below the symbol.

Examples: While speed (like 30km/hr) is a scalar measurement, velocity (30km/hr North) is a vector, consisting of a speed and a direction (north).

Clearly as a leader you must have a Direction ...

• A leader must have a strong vision. A goal is needed to generate desire by painting a picture of the results that are possible through action.
• Difference between Speed and Velocity .... speed is only a measurement and it does not have a direction.

Secondly, a leader without Motion is simply one of the crowd ... A leader must

• take Actions,
• Get out of the crowd,
• Boldness counts, especially in your chosen direction.

The last element of a Leadership Vector are the two C's ... Credibility & Confidence.

• You gain both through Experience and by accumulating Results
• To achieve results you need Personal Discipline and Tenacity to bounce back when, not if, you fail.

As A.L.Williams said, "If you want to be great, you first have to be good. If you want to be good, you have to first be bad. If you want to be bad, you first have to TRY." Greatness breeds confidence, but it all starts by TRYING.

TRY the Leadership Vector. It can be used by anyone can use in their life, no matter whether you are leading a Fortune 500 corporation or just yourself.

Decide where you want to go. Set a Direction.

Take Action. Put plans in Motion.

Build your credibility and confidence through results.

You have the leadership in you. Find your VECTOR and it will make your dreams come true.

Write On!,

Dave Wheeler

Present to WestConn Toastmasters, Danbury, CT

July 6, 2005 at the Wooster School.