In choosing a leader, the academically superior candidate is rarely the best candidate. Field and situational experience, from a practical standpoint, give a leadership candidate confidence, finely-tuned instincts, and speed of reaction time in order to master or otherwise address a situation. The best leadership candidates have a blend of both... but the experience is the necessary and primary qualification.
In an organizational scenario, the person in command has some experience in command and knows how to think, act and look like a leader. He or she is surrounded by a team of better technically-educated individuals who have complimentary and synergistic skills in order to make the team, as a functioning unit, most likely to be successful. Experience also tends to engender trust in, and respect for a leadership candidate.
I noted a wonderful bit of information from a News Release regarding a book on entrepreneurial leadership which I wanted to share with my commanders and commanders-in-training. An excerpt follows. When you've finished reading this artfully-written (and very true) promotional news item, please come back so that we can sum up together: ---------------
SAN DIEGO, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --
"Who would you rather be lost in the woods with, Albert Einstein or
Davey Crockett?" asks Michael Dalton Johnson author of the new business
book Rules of the Hunt. (McGraw-Hill Professional; May, 2012; Hardcover,
$26.00)
He continues, "Business schools provide a solid foundation for a career
but it's not possible for them to give the experience needed to deal
with the many day-to-day challenges and opportunities encountered in
business."
In keeping with its subtitle "Real World Advice for Entrepreneurial and
Business Success," the book departs from conventional business books in
voice, content and format. The book contains over 200 "rules" delivered
as brief anecdotes, short tutorials, humorous observations, case
histories, an occasional rant and a few horror stories.
The final chapter is devoted to the author's advice for preserving
physical and mental health while in the hunt for business success.
Subjects covered include leadership, negotiating, motivating people,
time management, bartering, group dynamics, recruiting winners, sales,
marketing, avoiding attorneys, relationships and personal growth. [read entire article]
---------------
You get experience by working beside a leader and living through several real-time, real-life challenges with him or here. Then, if that leader trusts you, he or she (if persuaded a bit) will give you a chance to sink or swim on your own. If you swim, you'll lead. If you sink, you won't.
By the way, the very best leaders are ones who almost drowned, but pulled themselves out of it and learned how to dog paddle. Survivors have the most powerful leadership experience of all.
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