Everybody wants to do better, do more, and get ahead. In our linear, left-brain Western culture, there's a huge temptation to "learn" success by learning new behaviors. Thousands of books, audio books, classes, web sites, videos, and coaches are part of a multi-billion-dollar self-improvement industry. How well is it working?
Learning new skills can be helpful—but only if those skills become part of who a person is. They can't be a bandage on a personality. Behaviors must be authentic. As one of our colleagues says, "Nothing changes until you do." Change must be transformative. Otherwise, success doesn't last.
Every person has natural strengths. Therefore, every person is a leader—whether it's the leader of a nation or of the 10th Floor Copy Room. Leadership comes when a person knows his or her natural strengths, and takes action directly from those strengths.
