Linda Dougherty

Attaining Leadership Linda Dougherty

Leadership success does not always look or feel like we anticipated, and rarely happens overnight. It is the result of hard work, diligent preparation, constant learning and adapting to changing circumstances that can't always be predicted. Leaders delegate, innovate, teach, inspire and motivate followers as they work with teams and develop future leaders. They assume the responsibility for evaluating risks, making decisions and executing plans; ultimately, success or failure falls squarely on their shoulders. Leadership is an "art" with some science thrown in. Great leadership starts on the inside by getting to know and lead yourself first. There are some tough questions for potential leaders to ask and answer: How hard are you willing to work and what are you working for? Will you commit to days, nights and weekends if need be? Will you work for less than you think you are worth? What happens if you fail? Can you get up and move forward again? Can you withstand stress and pressure, be cordial to rude, arrogance people and encourage others while dealing with all sorts of negativity? Looking inside yourself to answer these questions will help you decide if you should take on the role of leadership or even if you want to. Attaining Leadership, Knowing and Leading Yourself, First! is based on the idea that we strive, reach and develop ourselves to eventually attain the goal of becoming a great leader. In the book you will also find some alternative views on what "great leadership" "success" and "failure" really looks like and help to overcome the stigma of failure. The personal stories of leaders who have tried, failed, recovered and risen to success are found within these pages. Come along for a glimpse of some brilliant, curious, and resilient people who have discovered there is abundant life after failure. They see honestly who they were, who they are now, and how the recovery process has taught them to know and lead themselves to be better people and ultimately better leaders.