Leadership: a rank -v- a responsibility

Last week our Head of School, Craig Johnson, shared a video clip with us about Simon Senik's new book Leaders Eat Last.  Craig wrote:

Much of what Senik says (and much of what the book speaks to) is what we are about at ASB.

Although the clip is only 4 minutes long, there are some important points:

• Leadership is a choice - to put others before yourself.
• A leader is like a parent - we want our children/employees to achieve more than we have ourselves.
• Leaders risk their own interests so that others may advance.
• Trust and cooperation are feelings produced by the environment in which we are working - and that environment is created by the leaders.
• When we feel our leaders have our interests in mind, we look out for each other; work harder, are more innovative, and give our best talents and ideas.
• When times are tough - a great leader makes sure that each person suffers a little so that no one person has to suffer a lot.
• Great leaders put people before numbers (heart-counts not head-counts)
• The leader points to the direction in the distant future - we feel excited to participate when we are given ownership and responsibility for the mission. 

Enjoy!

Photo Credit: Baron Reznik Flickr via Compfight cc