Dan Rockwell: Leadership Styles Interview

As part of my leadership styles interview series, I’m happy to now feature the best-selling author and international speaker, Dan Rockwell.

[stextbox id=”custom”]Dan is one of the world’s foremost leaders when it comes to leadership styles blogging. His dream is that when people see him they will think of him as the guy who made their life better. He is a presenter, an author, an MBA, and he’s happily married. Be sure to follow him on Twitter.[/stextbox]

Leadership Styles

Each of the leaders featured in my leadership styles interview series was asked to provide his or her own unique answers to seven specific questions. Mark’s answers are located below. Be sure to leave a comment at the end of this article about which of his answers you found most fascinating…and why.

How do you personally define leadership?
In your opinion, what makes a successful leader stand out from the crowd of mediocrity?
What was the defining moment(s) in your life that caused you to focus on personal development in order to become a more effective leader?
Which areas of personal growth are your main strengths and which are your weaker ones?
What habits have you included in your daily routine to strengthen your leadership skills?
If you could travel back in time and speak with your “younger self, what would you encourage your “younger” self to change, alter or focus on more?
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to become a more influential leader in their niche or organization?

1) How do you personally define leadership?

My all-time favorite definition of leadership was giving to me by Francis Heshelbein, “Leadership is a matter of how to be not how to do.”

When I started writing about leadership, I thought it was mostly about strategies, techniques, and getting things done. Certainly, leadership is about those things and more. But I’ve come to appreciate Heshelbein’s definition.

Warren Bennis chimed in with a similar thought when he said, “Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself.”

I’m still learning what those ideas mean.

2) In your opinion, what makes a successful leader stand out from the crowd of mediocrity?

Successful leaders bring themselves to challenges and opportunities. They don’t copy or mimic others.

It takes courage to bring yourself because the world is filled with people who think they know what you should do. But if you want to stand out be who you are warts and all.

The most mediocre leader is the one who pretends to be something they aren’t.

After that, things like discipline in the pursuit of excellence, passion, courage, vision, and more come into play.

3) What was the defining moment(s) in your life that caused you to focus on personal development in order to become a more effective leader?

Defining moments happen in personal crisis. I’m a firm fan of things like mid-life crisis. I’ve had many. Defining moments always occur within, never without. Mine happened in July, 2009.

Defining moments begin with pain and end with freedom. I examined my life and said, “I expected more from you Dan.” It’s painful. But, working through the pain resulted in life transformations. I began realizing I had more to give therefore, I needed to develop my ability to give more.

4) Which areas of personal growth are your main strengths and which are your weaker ones?

I’m all about leadership from a personal view point. Developing qualities and behaviors that bring out the best in myself and others.

I love the structure an organization involved in leadership but have learned to trust others more gifted than me to lead in that area.

5) What habits have you included in your daily routine to strengthen your leadership skills?

First is reading. I read a lot. Second, talking is a big part of thinking for me. I learn so much from leaders I interview. Second, writing is also thinking. I write about leadership everyday on Leadership Freak. Most of the posts are my own leadership journey written with the “you” rather than the “I” voice. In other words I’m usually talking to myself. Fourth, I watch for daily moments that push me. Rather than turn from them, I turn to them. This means failure is an option.

6) If you could travel back in time and speak with your “younger self, what would you encourage your “younger” self to change, alter or focus on more?

Adapt more quickly. I’m the victim of endurance and persistence. Second, realize leadership is about them not you. Stop thinking about how things are impacting you and where you want to go. Think about how you are impacting others and where they want to go.

7) What advice would you give to someone who wanted to become a more influential leader in their niche or organization?

Bring yourself to opportunities and challenges. Declare yourself. Build a team. Don’t wait for permission. Start small. When you don’t know what to do, do something. Most anything will do as long as you learn and adapt as you to.