James M. Kouzes, author of The Leadership Challenge (published by Jossey-Bass), tells us that leadership is not a solo act; "In the thousands of personal-best leadership cases that my co-author, Barry Posner, and I have studied, we’ve yet to encounter a single example of extraordinary achievement that occurred without the active involvement and support of many people."
Leadership is a conversation. It’s a dialogue, not a monologue.
Collaboration is the critical business competency of the Internet Age. It isn’t the ability to fiercely compete, but the ability to lovingly cooperate that will determine success. Rather than focusing on stomping the competition into the ground, true leaders of the Internet Age focuses on creating value for their customers, intelligence and skill in their talent, and wealth for their investors and shareholders.
In a more complex, wired world, the winning strategies will always be based upon a "we" not "I" philosophy."
The new currency isn’t intellectual capital. It is social capital–the collective value of who we know and what we’ll do for each other. When social connections are strong and numerous, there is more trust, reciprocity, information flow, collective action, happiness, and, by the way, greater wealth.
Just ask yourself: To whom would I turn to get something done–someone who is strongly connected to two people or someone who is tightly connected to 150 people?
Any doubts about your answer?"
James M. Kouzes: The Leadership Challenge, 4th Edition
John Agno: Can't Get Enough Leadership: Book Notes & Coaching Tips