Introduction: Let's Get Started

Welcome. This field guide is a companion to my book The Leadership Contract (third edition). The two books work hand in hand; the first provides you with the key concepts and ideas, while this field guide presents a set of practical and thought-provoking activities to help you take your leadership to a higher level of effectiveness. As you work through this field guide, you will find yourself stepping up in significant ways in your leadership role. You will become the truly accountable leader that your organization needs.

Before you can become a truly accountable leader and redefine how you lead, I believe every leader needs to pause and reflect on the questions that follow.

img Activity I.1: Pause and Reflect on Your Current Leadership Role

img 20 to 30 minutes to complete

Find a pen or pencil. Write your answers in the space provided for each of the following questions. I will ask you to come back to these questions in the last chapter of this field guide.

  1. What does it mean for you to be a leader today?
  2. What has shaped you to be the leader you are today?
  3. What is your primary obligation as a leader?
  4. How is your success as a leader being impeded because you are avoiding some difficult things that you know you must do (for example, managing ...

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