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by dougsharp
5023 days ago
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Though the title may imply differently, Jeff's point (to me, at least) focuses on a founder's mentality rather than actually quitting your job. None of the suggestions Jeff includes cannot be executed in a greater organization-whether it consists of 5 employees or 5,000. Silicon Valley seems to prefer "founder," but all those traits sound close to "leader" in my book. It is a dangerous thing to not think like a leader until you get to a position of leadership, as a) without a leader's mentality you may not even get to that position and b) once you are there you may not be as effective as you'd like (since you did not have any practice thinking that way). |
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This should be qualified. Their are formal and informal notions of leadership. You are only a leader to those who follow or report to you, but there are other beyond that scope with or for whom you work. Part of "being a leader" is knowing the difference. A 2nd lietenant is a leader to his platoon. In many ways, he's more of a leader than his higher ups.
But he does a huge dis-service to himself and his team if he doesn't integrate his team's operations into a larger context. That doesn't mean just "following orders" per se. (Although respecting formal rank goes without saying). It might just mean keeping a distinct identity for good morale and "brand image" for his platoon, however subtly (reliable, good to work with). So when assignements or opportunities arise he is well placed to get his pick of the litter.
Likewise, this idea scales. A CEO needs to maintain such a position with his company in the market place. And a similar position in the minds of his investors relative to their other portfolio companies, etc. So, you don't outgrow this. You are never to young. Or too old. Or too successful. Its just a question of scale and peergroup and mental frame. Everybody has a boss. etc.
So, a leader knows how to exploit his position. But he never ignores it, images it, or forgets it. He is aware of it and works to improve it. And he keeps this all in proportion to the scale with which he is endowed with both respect and authority.