On Leadership
After finishing up the first week (of about 150 weeks to come) in my doctoral program, I am realizing just what a big undertaking I have started. Balancing family, work and the doctoral program is going to take some planning and lots of organization. Several of my classmates have discussed the importance of balancing our lives while in this program. I can see how important this is going to be over the next few years. With small children, a family business to support, and the various volunteer activities in which I am engaged, it may seem as if I am “biting off more than I can chew,” but in reality, I feel comfortable with the added challenge. I have always pushed myself to do more than seems comfortable, and have been somewhat successful so far. Maybe this is why I am working toward a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership, as leaders take on challenge and strive to achieve seemingly impossible goals. I have noticed that great leaders are characterized by the desire to move beyond comfort zones and stretch politically, professionally and personally.
William J. Rothwell states in his book, Effective Succession Planning, that leaders are developed through extenuating circumstances, by inheriting problems that must be solved, experiencing job overload, or engaging in opportunities that stretches one’s ability to perform. In this case, Rothwell suggests that leaders are made, not born, and it is the responsibility of the organization to develop the next leaders of the organization. Therefore, as I advance in this program, I hope to find ways to help organizations identify, develop and retain quality leaders (hmmm… dissertation topic, maybe?).
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Effective Succession Planning: Ensuring Leadership Continuity And Building Talent From Within (Click link to view book details on Amazon) |
© 2010, Juanita Woods, PgMP, PMP, MBA. All rights reserved.
