Robert Wolven, Symposium, March 21, 2014

Leadership, Mentorship,Mastery and Mystery

… and other crackpot ideas

Robert Wolven, Symposium, March 21, 2014

What makes a leader?

• Creativity, innovation, thoughtfulness, passion, courage: great ideas, deeply felt

• Charisma, persuasiveness, ability to inspire, self-confidence: personality

Robert Wolven, Symposium, March 21, 2014

What makes a leader?

Good genes Good jeans

Robert Wolven, Symposium, March 21, 2014

Everyone above averageCan anyone and everyone be a leader?

• “[He] … flung himself upon his horse and rode madly off in all directions”

• … and some have greatness thrust upon them – the accidental leader

Robert Wolven, Symposium, March 21, 2014

Many ways of leading

Leading by Example Leading Together

Robert Wolven, Symposium, March 21, 2014

Leading astrayGood leadership, Bad leader

Robert Wolven, Symposium, March 21, 2014

I was in the right place …

• … but it must have been the wrong time

• Three maxims for would-be leaders

Robert Wolven, Symposium, March 21, 2014

Maxim No. 1The Precipitate Leader

“If you’re out there all alone, you’re going too

fast”

Robert Wolven, Symposium, March 21, 2014

Maxim No. 2The Contented Leader

“Once everyone agrees with you,

it’s time to prove them wrong”

Robert Wolven, Symposium, March 21, 2014

Maxim No. 3The Perpetual Leader

“If you’re always in the lead, you need better

followers.”

Robert Wolven, Symposium, March 21, 2014

Mentorship

Making the Most Of Leadership Potential

Robert Wolven, Symposium, March 21, 2014

Leader and Mentor

Robert Wolven, Symposium, March 21, 2014

What makes a mentor?

• Patience• Clarity• Psychological insight• Encouragement• Criticism• Desire to advance others

Robert Wolven, Symposium, March 21, 2014

Mentor, manipulator

Robert Wolven, Symposium, March 21, 2014

The One Thing Every Leader Needs

• Followership– But not followorship

• Opportunities for:– Close-up observation; mentoring; leading further

• Follower-Leaders:– Plato– Isaac Newton

Robert Wolven, Symposium, March 21, 2014

Where’s the Mastery & Mystery?

• If you’re going to follow someone into the wilderness, you want to be sure he knows how to make a fire.

Robert Wolven, Symposium, March 21, 2014

The Whole Package

• Vision (follow me to a better place)• Mastery (trust me because …)• Mystery (explore unknown territory)• Mentoring (I’ll teach you)• Leading beyond (I’ll step aside)