Leaders as Teachers: Strategic Business Value with Deep Historical Roots

Content

What do the following individuals, groups and professions have in common? \* Great philosophers such as Aristotle and Socrates from the golden age of Greece

What do the following individuals, groups and professions have in common? \* Great philosophers such as Aristotle and Socrates from the golden age of Greece

Content

\* Shaman or medicine men from early native civilizations

\* Shaman or medicine men from early native civilizations

Content

\* Artisans or skilled craftsmen during the middle ages

\* Artisans or skilled craftsmen during the middle ages

Content

\* Leaders of the great religions over the centuries

\* Leaders of the great religions over the centuries

Content

\* Girl Scout, Boy Scout and 4H leaders in the 20th and 21st century

\* Girl Scout, Boy Scout and 4H leaders in the 20th and 21st century

Content

\* Experienced Physicians and Nurses through the history of medical education

\* Experienced Physicians and  Nurses through the history of medical education

Content

\* Senior Military and law enforcement personnel for many hundreds of years

\* Senior Military and law enforcement personnel for many hundreds of years

Content

\* Contemporary business leaders in selected high performance companies

\* Contemporary business leaders in selected high performance companies

Content

The common element is that they are all examples of leader-teachers. Leaders serving as teachers have contributed to many aspects of society over many centuries.

The common element is that they are all examples of leader-teachers.  Leaders serving as teachers have contributed to many aspects of society over many centuries. 

Content

Leaders who serve as teachers, elders, coaches and mentors are increasingly valued in some contemporary businesses, government, human service and not-for-profit organizations. Yet, despite the time-tested value of leaders serving as teachers, many organizations fail to realize the value or practice the approach. Important opportunities exist for organizations to more fully utilize the experience, expertise and wisdom of their leaders to serve as teachers and other developmental capacities.

Leaders who serve as teachers, elders, coaches and mentors are increasingly valued in some contemporary businesses, government, human service and not-for-profit organizations. Yet, despite the time-tested value of leaders serving as teachers, many organizations fail to realize the value or practice the approach.  Important opportunities exist for organizations to more fully utilize the experience, expertise and wisdom of their leaders to serve as teachers and other developmental capacities.

Content

How can we realize the value of a long heritage of leaders serving as teachers and apply it in today’s organizations? The answer lays in understanding the six major benefits of a leader-teacher approach in today’s organizations.

How can we realize the value of a long heritage of leaders serving as teachers and apply it in today’s organizations?  The answer lays in understanding the six major benefits of a leader-teacher approach in today’s organizations.

Content

Many organizations now use some form of a leaders as teachers approach as part of their training and learning initiatives. Utilization of leaders as teachers can take many forms. Whether deployed on a small or large scale, there are six primary benefits that organizations derive when their leaders serve as teachers, coaches and mentors. These business and organizational benefits include:

Many organizations now use some form of a leaders as teachers approach as part of their training and learning initiatives.  Utilization of leaders as teachers can take many forms. Whether deployed on a small or large scale, there are six primary benefits that organizations derive when their leaders serve as teachers, coaches and mentors.  These business and organizational benefits include: 

1. Content

   Helps drive business results

   Helps drive business results

2. Content

   Stimulates the learning and development of leaders and associates

   Stimulates the learning and development of leaders and associates

3. Content

   Improves the leadership skills of those who teach

   Improves the leadership skills of those who teach

4. Content

   Strengthens the organizational culture and communications

   Strengthens the organizational culture and communications

5. Content

   Promotes positive business and organizational change

   Promotes positive business and organizational change

6. Content

   Reduces costs by leveraging top talent

   Reduces costs by leveraging top talent

Content

These six benefits will be described in the next ASTD blog posting in several days.

These six benefits will be described in the next ASTD blog posting in several days.