In his insightful book, Good to Great, Jim Collins refers to levels of leaders, with Level 5 being the highest. Collins describes Level 5 Leaders as “ambitious first and foremost for the cause, the organisation, the work – not themselves – and they have the fierce resolve to do whatever it takes to make good on that ambition. A level 5 leader displays a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will.”
Such fierce resolve is described in a wise saying among the Yoruba people in Nigeria where I grew up, which says “eru ob’odo.” This loosely translates to, “the river is never afraid.”
What does this wise saying mean to you? What images does it conjure up?
As an Excelling Leader, you are not afraid, but supremely confident and mentally tough, without being cocky.
What other leadership qualities can we draw from the river?
“Rethink without over-thinking”
GAICD, M.Comp (Monash)
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