The Innovators Way remains one of my favorite books when I’m working with an innovator scaling up to become a great leader and evangelist. If you’re courageous enough to take on changing the world you are a person who demands a lot of yourself. You’re committed to your personal and professional development. You’re grounded in a set of profound values. (Wouldn’t it be great if every tech CEO were??)
So, for your consideration, here’s the Innovators Way’s list of the key virtues of innovative leaders. I’m sure you’ll recognize yourself in a lot of what’s included here:
- Care – to focus on what concerns people have and how they can be addressed
- Persistence – the capacity to maintain the commitment over an extended period, to keep trying in the face of resistance or repeated failure
- Humility – the capacity to put one’s own opinions and interpretations aside, listen to others, and display genuine curiosity about others in the world
- Risk tolerance – the capacity to put up with physical discomfort and anxieties accompanying risk assessments
- Destiny – a sense that one’s actions are in service to a higher good, that one is drawn into service by that good
- Focus – the capacity to articulate the core principles for which one stands and not be sidetracked by interesting distractions
- Value – the capacity to articulate and deliver value in one’s promises
- Courage – the capacity to face down threats and dangers even when one’s well-being or reputation is at stake
- Ethics – the capacity to act in accord with ethical principles while carrying out all actions
When you feel discouraged and overwhelmed, pull out this list. You’ll see your strengths all through it. It will also help you see what kind of help to ask for. If you’re off track, it will help you see how to right yourself (Travis).
Changing the world is a heroic undertaking, and should never be done alone. Find the support and encouragement you need to keep climbing! We are can’t wait to see what you have to offer the world! And to hear you communicate about it!
Communication is the essential last mile in finding and motivating the right teams, acquiring strong allies, powerfully bonding with customers, and capturing mindshare with compelling stories. Nothing will serve you and your vision better than developing exceptional communication skills.
