The science of leadership concerns the observation and study of leadership principles and practices, resulting in a reliable explanation of what makes leaders effective. Volumes of research, opinions and books have been written on scientific leadership methods and practices.
The art is about developing practical experience in the application of the leadership practices and methods resulting from the “science of leadership”. The art of leadership is about learning to apply leadership practices creatively to achieve success.
Artists learn everything they can about the medium(s) with which they work, what they can expect from it and where it will fall short. A potter, for example, must learn that clay has its own life, its own potential and limits, its own integrity. The potter develops a relationship with clay, spending time with it, learning to know its properties, how it will interact with water, discovering that if you work it too hard, it will collapse, and if you work with it, it will teach you its strength, your limits, and the possibilities of co-creation.
Leadership is an art, it requires creativity in application and a science, it depends on specific principles and practices. Leadership is an art in that it requires the leader to be sensitive to situations and circumstances and skill to influence other to take action to bring about change.
The practices and methods that comprise the leadership science, requires relentless practice and on-going experimentation, until they become part of the leader, “an extension of their arm”.
Consider the following:
Do you understand the science of leadership?
What leadership practices and methods are you learning to apply to your leadership canvas this week?
What leadership principles and practices can you creatively apply this week?
Practice is the only way that you will ever come to understand what the Way of the warrior is about . . . Words can only bring you to the foot of the path . . .” – Musashi from “Certain To Win: The Strategy Of John Boyd, Applied To Business“