Timeless Leadership Principles and Timely Leadership Practices

The author is Rensis Likert Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan and Partner, The RBL Group. The length of his career roughly parallels the thirty years of publication for Leader to Leader . “Fundamental leadership principles,” he contends, “remain much the same while leadership practices evolve based on changing times.” He describes the Leadership Code, which he developed with colleagues beginning in 2007. This Code was based on two dimensions (Time and Focus) and captures five rules of leadership that reflect timeless leadership DNA. The competence domains, in the wording of the Code, are Personal Proficiency (Invest in Yourself); Human Capital Developer (Build the Next Generation); Strategist (Shape the Future); Talent Manager (Engage Today's Talent); and Executor (Make Change Happen). He further describes the Leadership Brand Architecture: in his words: (1) Build business case for leadership (2) Agree on what leaders must do (3) Assess leaders & leadership (4) Invest in leaders & leadership (5) Measure leaders & leadership (6) Ensure reputation.