Just as a compass points towards a magnetic field, your True North pulls you toward the purpose of your leadership.
Former Medtronic CEO Bill George is the author of the national bestseller True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership.
It’s an interesting read, combining research with stories from more than a hundred of today’s top leaders. At the heart of the book is George’s belief that anyone who follows his or her internal compass can become an authentic leader. First, you have to know your true self, your story, your values and your motivations.
Overcoming Adversity
To get to the top and truly lead, at some point you will encounter adversity. The great leaders are the ones who faced obstacles and turned them into stepping-stones. George shares the adversity overcome by Starbucks founder Howard Schultz, who channeled his story to develop a billion dollar company. Schultz was raised in a housing project in Brooklyn and spent his childhood watching his father labor away at numerous blue-collar jobs, struggling to make ends meet. Schultz credits his humble beginnings with giving him the motivation necessary to succeed. Leaders who confront adversity, learn from it, and embrace it as a part of their story develop into great leaders.
Authenticity
When I was writing my own book, The Business of Being the Best, authenticity was the one word I kept hearing when asking CEOs and other executives the single most important characteristic of strong leadership. Becoming a leader requires conscious development and a strong internal compass. You have to remain true to your life story. George outlines the steps to authentic leadership: define your values and leadership principles, understand your motivations, and integrate all aspects of your life. The result is self-awareness, which is essential to authentic leadership. David Pottruck, former CEO of Charles Schwab, shares his journey to self-awareness in True North. He says the hardest thing for him to learn was that authenticity is more important than perfection. So often we strive for perfection, but as George points out, maybe it’s more important to listen to our internal compass and let it guide us.
If you’re looking for a book on leadership, I would definitely suggest picking up a copy of True North. It’s a book for anyone ready to take on their own journey and lead with passion and purpose.
