09/11/2023
Leaders Don't Command: Inspire Growth, Ingenuity, and Collaboration is a book by Jorge Cuervo that challenges the traditional view of leadership as command and control. Instead, Cuervo argues that the best leaders are those who are able to inspire and empower their teams to achieve their goals.
Cuervo begins by discussing the limitations of the command-and-control approach to leadership. He argues that this approach is no longer effective in today's complex and rapidly changing world. Instead, leaders need to be able to create a culture of innovation and collaboration where team members are empowered to make decisions and take risks.
Cuervo then goes on to discuss the key principles of inspirational leadership. He argues that the best leaders are able to:
• Build trust and rapport with their team members.
• Create a shared vision and purpose.
• Empower their team members to make decisions and take risks.
• Provide feedback and support.
• Celebrate successes and learn from failures.
Cuervo also provides a number of practical tips for leaders on how to implement these principles. He covers a variety of topics, including:
• How to create a culture of trust and respect.
• How to communicate effectively with their team members.
• How to delegate tasks and empower others.
• How to provide feedback and coaching.
• How to create a learning environment.
Overall, Leaders Don't Command is a well-written and informative book that provides readers with a new perspective on leadership. Cuervo's arguments are convincing, and his practical tips are valuable for leaders at all levels.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the book:
• The command-and-control approach to leadership is no longer effective in today's complex and rapidly changing world.
• The best leaders are those who are able to inspire and empower their teams to achieve their goals.
• Inspirational leaders build trust and rapport with their team members, create a shared vision and purpose, empower their team members to make decisions and take risks, provide feedback and support, and celebrate successes and learn from failures.
• Leaders can create a culture of trust and respect by being honest and transparent, keeping their promises, and treating their team members with respect.
• Leaders can communicate effectively by being clear and concise, listening attentively, and being open to feedback.
• Leaders can delegate tasks and empower others by setting clear expectations, providing the necessary resources, and giving their team members the authority to make decisions.
• Leaders can provide feedback and coaching by being timely and specific, focusing on the behavior and not the person, and offering constructive advice.
• Leaders can create a learning environment by encouraging their team members to ask questions, take risks, and share their ideas.
If you are a leader at any level, I highly recommend reading Leaders Don't Command. It is a book that will challenge your thinking about leadership and help you to become a more effective leader.
