Are You Leadership Worthy?

Bill Dellecker is not a famous management guru, business school professor, retired general or big name CEO, so why should you read his book on leadership?

Precisely because he doesn’t bring any of those specific perspectives. He merely brings the perspective of a professional small-to-medium business leader, one who knows what it’s like to get his hands dirty, meet payroll, build a business without unlimited capital budgets, deal directly with clients, train and motivate a diverse work force, and successfully meet the infinite variety of daily challenges posed by the market.

But experience by itself doesn’t automatically translate to a worthwhile book. Dellecker also adds the perspective of a thoughtful student of his profession, one who has long worked on, not just in business. He has done extensive reading and it shows.

Those two perspectives, I believe, will resonate with the vast majority of potential readers who will never go on to run a Fortune 500 company, but who nevertheless will make a tremendous impact on their own business, department, or team. Dellecker has turned his experience and learning into relatable practical advice that the reader can immediately begin to apply. He doesn’t just tell you what to do, he also demonstrates how to do it. For example, while he urges you to hire top talent, he also provides you with a specific list of questions that you can use during the interview to help you figure it out.

Leadership Worthy is well-written and clearly laid out. The first section deals with his three pillars of business success: People First, Purpose Second and Valuing Details. The second section covers specific skills, such as establishing culture, measuring what matters and communication. With the exception of his citing the old canard that only 7% of feeling content is carried in the words we speak, I thought his chapter on leadership communication was strong. The third section covers how to apply these principles and skills in a dynamic environment.

Ultimately, Dellecker’s three pillars of business success must rest on a solid foundation of knowing yourself. The most important theme of the book is that to do leadership right, it begins inside of you. To be worthy to lead, you must know who you are and what you stand for, and have an honest view of your own strengths and weaknesses. I’m not sure that lesson is taught in business schools today, but it certainly should be.