Leading with Passion: How Modern Leadership Was Redefined

We know what makes a great leader. Warren Bennis figured it out.

Bennis was a pioneer in modern leadership studies. From authenticity to ceaseless curiosity, he uncovered the key qualities today’s leaders need to be successful.

He mentored our podcast guest: author, consultant, and former Presidential advisor Betsy Myers. She discussed his importance in this week’s episode.

His interest in the field burst forth during World War II. Bennis was an Army infantry officer, and became fascinated with the dynamics of leading and inspiring others. Commanding a combat platoon, he saw directly how leadership quality made the difference—quite literally—between life and death. What he discovered is what we teach today; nearly every one of these newsletter articles and their various lists, bullet points, and explorations of leadership qualities are descended from Bennis’ work.

They really boil down to two core concepts: adaptive leadership and authentic leadership.

Leadership, he felt, is a continual journey. You never stop growing, learning, and developing. The moment you do, you begin the slide to ineffectual leadership. This eternal curiosity is the taproot of adaptive leadership. The world is constantly changing, and so is your team. You’ve got to be changing with them.

Building trust with your team is equally important. Trust requires a different kind of C-suite: Competence, Constancy in your principles and standards, Caring, Character and Candor. Taken together, these are the pillars of authentic leadership.

Bennis added a special spice to his core concepts: passion. An effective leader can’t see their work as just another job. The leader’s passion trickles down and motivates staff. Indeed, it affects the morale of the entire organization. As Bennis said, “Leaders are people who believe so passionately that they can seduce other people into sharing their dream.” (He also said managing people is like herding cats, emphasizing the fact that leadership is not easy, no matter how many qualities you master!)

Expanding on those very core concepts are seven key leadership principles. They’re so essential, we’re listing them here in short form so you can print them and keep them handy for quick reference in your pocket, purse, drawer, or taped to your monitor:

1. Self-Knowledge. Know your strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. You can’t be authentic without this.

2. Integrity & Character. You have to walk the talk. ‘Nuff said.

3. Forge a Human Connection. If you don’t care, your team won’t, either.

4. Adapt to Change. Change happens, no matter how much you resist.

5. Admit Vulnerability. You’ll make mistakes; admit them. And apologize when they affect others.

6. Share Your Vision. Vision is essential for leadership; without it, what are you leading toward?

7. Foster Talent. Empowering others motivates the team.

There are so many short lists we could add; Bennis walked his own talk and fed his curiosity right up to his final days—so he kept adding to his concepts and principles about leadership. But, you’ll be off to a great start with those we listed here.

This article was adapted by Dan Mushalko from our podcast episode They’re Always Watching You: A White House Advisor’s Lessons for Every Leader.

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