What qualities do you expect to see in a highly effective leader?
I work with people all the time in terms of how to bring out what I would call their signature presence as a leader. And the signature presence here is you know the individual's uniqueness beginning with their passions, their value system, their character what they believe in as a human being. The essence of who they are and what makes them want to wake up in the morning and get started. To always to have that as the bedrock, and what informs, what they do, and how they do what they do. So getting people in touch when I mentor or coach it is always back to who are you? What makes you tick? What turns you on and how is that related to what you are currently doing in your job. How can you bring that essence of yourself to life? How can you know it and how can you really bring it forth. So it's this your unique composition of talents of strengths and your unique way of manifesting your passion that I am really after first.
...many leaders, people who are aspiring leaders, believe that the main source of their influence is what they know. The substance of what they know how to do. What they have mastered. It could be a skills set or a knowledge base. It could be both. Although that is important and critical it is kind of an entry card it is just the beginning it just gives you a chance to get in the door so to speak with other people. The real issue is how you relate to other people. The way you can connect with other people. How you can make what you're up to an offer an invitation that will benefit others.-Kathy Cramer (2min.15sec)
Kathy Cramer, Founder and Managing Partner, The Cramer Institute
LSL Class of 2001-02
Kathy Cramer, Ph.D., is the founder and managing partner of the The Cramer Institute in St. Louis, MO. For more than twenty years, she and her colleagues have pioneered the development of Asset-Based Thinking (ABT) approaches to coaching, consulting, and training, and inspiring individuals and organizations. Her signature programs, keynotes, books, and online and new media offerings have passionate followers among corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, schools, psychologists, coaches, and others who are dealing with change, transition, innovation, and success in today's world.
Kathy is an accomplished speaker, trainer, executive consultant, and the author of six books, including her newest release, Change the Way You See Yourself Through Asset-Based Thinking (2008), the first title in the ABT series, Change the Way You See Everything Through Asset-Based Thinking (2006), and When Faster, Harder, Smarter Is Not Enough (2002). Coming in April 2009 is Change the Way You See Everything for Teens.
Dr. Cramer has received wide media recognition in such outlets as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Personal Excellence, St. Louis Business Journal, Realtor magazine, TomPeters.com, Forbes.com, and other national and regional venues. She has produced two films on stress, one of which received an Emmy Award.
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