On November 14, 2005 I wrote: "Let's think about leadership in terms of an accumulation of skill sets. The acquisition of those skill sets will enhance the ability of the leader to move the organization toward the goal. Instead, then, of concentrating on moving to a different level of leadership, a better path to effective leadership might be to identify the skill sets needed to be effective, and to acquire those skill sets (which might also include bringing individuals around you who can supplement your weaknesses if the skill set is beyond your ability or would require excessive time to acquire)."

Let's suppose this is true. Then one of the key characteristics of a leader would have to be the ability to be able to "see the big picture." To see situations and problems in a larger context AND to then to know which skill sets apply (intuitively), and either pull those out of their accumulated kit (acquired through knowledge and experience) or pull in those who have the necessary skill set. Leadership then would have less to do with influence and more to do with a kind of disassociation. By that I mean the ability to disassociate oneself from the immediate and step back to see the greater good, keeping in mind the mission and strategic planning. Now let's add another big word - integration. The best leaders are those who can disassociate WHILE remaining integrated with the human side of the context.

As we develop this thought it is interesting that we are actually constructing a new leadership model which truly allows the possibility of becoming a leader in actuality rather than just theory. Learning to see things globally, while difficult, can be learned. Acquiring the various leadership skill sets can be difficult, but can be accomplished by most. Like learning a new language, learning the pieces (nouns, verbs, conjugations, etc.) comes before fluency and fluency in enhanced by the ability to actually think in the new language. Leadership is like that, what seems mechanical and awkward at first with practice becomes intuitive and reflexive. Let me tell you a secret which is the starting point - stop talking and listen.