Is Great Leadership Just About Intelligence?
I'm all for brains. We need smarter people in all walks of life. I worked hard to get a Ph.D. because I believe in the power of intelligence. But I wonder that we sometimes get so distracted by trying to be the "smartest guy in the room" that we forget real leadership isn't all about brains. Look at the people around you right now - chances are, if the building caught on fire, the person who stepped up to keep everyone calm, organize them, and lead them safely out won't be the smartest person in the crowd.
Jack Graham shared some very interesting numbers with me the other day:
50% of CEO's were C or C minus students
65% U.S. Senators were in the bottom half of their class
75% of U.S. Presidents were in the lower half of their graduating class
50% of millionaires never finished college
When it comes to leadership, it's not just about intelligence. After all, many college faculties are filled with brilliant people who will accomplish very little in their lives. When it comes to leadership, never forget character, competence, chemistry, and passion.
Passion fuels your purpose - not intelligence.
I suppose it all comes back to how you define intelligence. Certainly there is a certain TYPE of intelligence that is seen in good leaders, or CEO's, or whatever else... it just isn't necessarily academic intelligence...
Leadership is not all about intelligence, but it helps to be passionate about the issues in which you choose to exercise leadership.
If you are passionate about something, you WANT to study and prepare for it. Hence, it is absurd for a English teacher to write poorly, or a world political leader to lack a basic understanding about geography and culture.
In fact, lack of preparation often indicates apathy, carelessness or genuine stupidity.
On the other hand, intelligence is never a substitute for simple truths. Debt must be paid, lies don't last forever, 2+2=4 etc.
Yeah I know many 'smart people' who are the most dumbiest I have ever known. Street smarts imo is better
So witness now insanity, Of the most high order: Intellectualism idolized, With no moral border. Lovers of truth: Weep, Lovers of life: Wail, Has what was once right become, With newspeak, dangerously frail? Though much that's wrong, Flesh has put in power, Now it's truth's proof-by-pain, Resurrection hour of power. With pain, the blind see truth, The uncorrectable move, With death of reason, Comes reason's rebirth. Survive this current enigma, And see truth prove itself out, Until then brothers, we have, Much to prepare about.
I agree with you that it is not intelligence. I believe that it is passion that motivates us to fulfill our calling and intelligence is only one of many tools to help us complete the job. Also, I think good leadership is a choice. I have always had leadership qualities but I chose not to be a leader (didn't want to lead) thus I never accomplished everything I could have. However, since I have decided to embrace those leadership qualities and choose what kind of leader I will be, I am seeing the results. (I can thank ORU for that lesson! ) An example of that is with my blog. I believe we can all agree to disagree without attacking each other personally. You would be amazed how many times I have been called a neocon whore, stupid, retard, idiot, and on and on. Even though it rattles me at times, I had to make a decision to respond without attacking the person who just attacked me. It wasn't something that just happened, I chose to do so. And I am seeing the results. I am amazed at how many people will privately email me and tell me that they are reading my blog for that very reason. Please hear me when I say I am not trying to toot my own horn only that I think much of leadership is a choice. I really believe we choose what kind of leader we will be. Remaining Steadfast, Dominique http://anunlikelyperspective2.squarespace.com http://aphotoperspective2.squarespace.com
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