Conclusion: your leadership journey
The message of this book is simple: anyone can learn to lead, and to lead better. You do not have to wait until you are given a big promotion to start leading. You can, and should, start leading whatever your position is today. Leadership is not about your title; it is about what you do.
There is no great mystery about what the best leaders do. Ultimately, they all have the same agenda: the IPA agenda of Idea, People, Action. If you have a good idea about how you want to build a future perfect firm or unit, you have made a good start. A good idea gives you an agenda, which starts to give you control over your destiny, rather than being shaped by external forces. Then surround yourself with a great team and help them turn the idea into action.
“Leadership is not about your title; it is about what you do.”
The leadership agenda is simple to state, but hard to practise. No one has all the skills to make it happen, and many of the best leaders have very obvious weaknesses. This should be reassuring to you. No leader gets ticks in all the boxes. You do not need to become the perfect leader to succeed, because the perfect leader does not exist. Instead, build on your strengths and be the best of who you are. Leaders come in many styles and flavours – develop the style that works for you and then put the IPA leadership agenda to work.
Instead of seeking perfection as a leader, seek improvement. The best leaders are always learning and growing. You have to do this because what is expected of you changes at each level of the organisation and you will always face new challenges. This means leadership is a journey of discovery, not a destination. Treat it that way: take each new challenge as an opportunity to learn, to grow and to shine.
“Take each new challenge as an opportunity to learn, to grow and to shine.”
By having the courage to lead, you will be leading life in technicolour and with the record button on. That is a good way to live. Your highs and lows will be memorable and you will grow stronger from them.
Let yourself enjoy your leadership journey. You only excel at what you enjoy. Only when you enjoy what you do can you sustain the effort required to succeed over many months and years. Your journey to leadership will be unique to you. Whatever your journey is, enjoy it.