BELLEVUE, WA--(Marketwire - July 21, 2009) - The lack of leadership in today's business and
political environment is staggering, according to a national leadership
expert, especially when you consider Wall Street's collapse, the GM
bankruptcy, politicians' extramarital affairs, corruption charges, and
trials related to executives plundering company coffers.
If the country is to recover financially and politically, new leaders will
have to emerge -- new leaders who understand that leadership is a
privilege, not an entitlement, according to executive coach Michael
Schutzler, author of the book "Inspiring Excellence - A Path to Exceptional
Leadership"
www.BlueSevenPartners.com.
"Leadership isn't something you get with a title," he said. "Leadership is
a relationship. If you consider the evidence -- GM's relationship with its
customers and employees, Wall Street's relationship with its investors,
political leaders' relationships with their constituencies -- you have to
admit there are an alarming number of dysfunctional relationships."
Schutzler thinks too many leaders are focused on personal ambition. "We
need leaders who use power as a tool for inspiring others to create a
better future, not as a tool for retaining their position or perks."
Schutzler's view of leadership is different than many academics and
executive coaches. Twenty-five years of leading in many industries and
countries has led to his pragmatic approach that includes:
-- Leadership is not a character trait. It is a learned behavior.
-- There are only four essential skills for great leadership --
listening, storytelling, negotiating, and assessing people -- each easily
practiced.
-- Those four skills serve as the foundation for successfully attracting
talent, reaching consensus, making tough choices, and harnessing ambition.
"Good judgment is certainly a hallmark of exceptional leadership, but it
isn't something you are born with," Schutzler said.
About Michael Schutzler
Over the course of 25 years, business coach Michael Schutzler has held a
variety of executive and management positions as an entrepreneur and in
notable companies, including Harris Corporation, RR Donnelley & Sons,
Classmates.com, and RealNetworks. He holds an MBA in Finance and Economics
from the W. E. Simon School at University of Rochester and a BS in
Electrical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.
Contact Information: Contact:
Rachel Friedman
Rachel@newsandexperts.com