Leadership is a verb – not a noun

1. Leadership is a verb – not a noun Pinnacle People Development Production Permission Position

2. Leadership The Leadership Secrets of Squirrels

3. Much of material used is from the book – The Leadership Secrets of Squirrels By – Simon Silverback

4. What can we learn from Squirrels? Especially about leadership? • After all – squirrels primarily scamper from branch to branch – seemingly without purpose. They are almost “toy-like” – chasing each other around tree trunks. • They appear to be dull of brain – and a pest at times. • They are clowns on the lawn – menace to bird feeders – and often unsuccessful crossing a road.

5. So – why seek advice on leadership from squirrels?

6. Short and simply is: They were born to leadership – and we are not! • Squirrels have purpose – while you and I have a direction.

7. First lesson - Leadership without purpose is like a compass in the hands of a fool – any direction will do.

8. Secrets include: • Secrets on Crossing a Road • Secrets from the ground • Secrets at the Birdfeeder • Secrets from a Squirrel’s Tail • Secrets in the Trees • Secrets about Owls

9. Secrets on Crossing a Road: • Know why you are crossing the road. • Know when to cross the road. • Stick to your niche.

10. Secrets on Crossing a Road: • Lead, follow, or get squashed on the road. • Indecision is a decision with consequences. • Too many quick decisions are worse than no decision.

11. Secrets on Crossing a Road: • Doubt is as keen a sword as confidence. • Old strategies often do not work for new situations.

12. Secrets of Crossing a Road • Stay the course? • If a problem appears – you must pick one – and only one – action from Column A and one, and only one, from Column B. AB STOP SLOWLY RETREAT QUICKLY CONTINUE CHANGE COURSE

13. Secrets on Crossing a Road: • A car changes all plans. • Balance planning with action. • Be a risk taker. • Never be afraid to reverse a bad decision. • Be persistent – to a point.

14. Secrets from the ground: • Bury many nuts, harvest few. • Surround yourself with ideas. • Not all ideas bear fruit – or nuts.

15. Invest today for payback tomorrow. • Plan ahead – but not too far ahead. • Every winter is a harsh winter.

16. Adapt. • Be prepared to deal with a lot of nuts. • There are never enough nuts.

17. Select the right nuts. • Never count nuts while you gather them. • Beware the nut-counters.

18. Unity of purpose, not unity of thought. • Let everyone wander around. • Never be a leader in all things. • Never be a leader at all times.

19. Never eschew lesser tasks. • Never fear failure. • Never fear success. • Never seek excellence in all things.

20. Secrets at the Birdfeeder • Never attach a competitor’s strength. • Be wary of traps. • Know your strengths – and weaknesses.

21. Be opportunistic. • Avoid distractions.

22. Be wary of easy pickings. • Innovate.

23. Secrets from a Squirrel’s Tail • You’re not in this alone. • Maintain balance. • Watch your back. • Appear larger than life.

24. Secrets in the Trees • See the forest – and the trees. • Always put a tree between yourself and danger. • Have lofty but achievable goals. • Select the right tree(s). • Embrace change. • Be flexible in all things. • Integrate work and play. • Seek and take advice. • Retreat and replenish • Avoid dogs – and dogma

25. Secret about Owls • Accept an owl’s wisdom. • Reject an owl’s wisdom. • Beware an owl’s beak and talons.

26. The Last Leaf • Leadership – in the final analysis: • is about making choices • and the right choices when it counts • and dealing effectively with the bad choices along the way

27. Leadership is also about • Letting go • And moving on We must all develop – and hopefully modify often – our theory of leadership. Have you buried it for safe keeping – can you find it?

28. Thank you!