Summary of The rarest commodity is leadership without ego: Bob Davids at TEDxESCP

In the TEDx talk by Bob Davids, he emphasizes the importance of Leadership without ego and shares valuable insights on the distinction between Management and Leadership. Here are the key wellness strategies, self-care techniques, and productivity tips discussed:

Key Insights on Leadership:

Difference Between Management and Leadership:
- Management involves control over quality, time, and money, often referred to as the "triple constraint."
- Leadership is about inspiring and guiding people, not merely managing tasks.

Leadership Strategies:

Leading by Example:
- Engage with your team by participating in their tasks, which fosters trust and respect.
- An anecdote about jumping into a trench to help workers illustrates the power of leading by example.
Empowerment:
- True Leadership is about empowering others and sharing power rather than taking it for oneself.
- Leaders should give back the power they receive from their followers to strengthen relationships.
Humility and Service:
- Great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Ronald Reagan demonstrated humility by prioritizing the needs of their followers.
- Leadership is viewed as a gift that requires selflessness and a commitment to serving others.

Practical Tips:

Education and Growth:
- Seek continuous education and self-improvement rather than conforming to traditional Management paths, such as pursuing an MBA.
Cultural Sensitivity:
- Understand and adapt to different cultures when leading diverse teams, as demonstrated in Davids' experience in China.
Creativity in Leadership:
- Creativity is an innate quality that can be honed and disciplined for effective Leadership.

Final Thought:

Leadership is the rarest and most valuable commodity, and those aspiring to be leaders should focus on developing their unique skills and serving their communities.

Presenters/Sources:

Bob Davids
Bob Townsend (referenced)
Mahatma Gandhi (referenced)
Ronald Reagan (referenced)
Václav Havel (referenced)
Herb Kelleher (referenced)

Notable Quotes

— 02:58 — « There's too many managers already. The world is short of leaders; we don't need any more managers. »

— 05:40 — « If you push the people, down deep inside, you really do not know which way they will go or what they're really thinking. But if you can lead them and get them to follow you, then you have the skill that everybody should have - is to be a leader. »

— 08:54 — « That's powerful! Power comes when the people that you are leading give you their support. »

— 10:37 — « Leadership is the most valuable commodity on the planet, and it is the rarest commodity we have. »

— 11:40 — « That's leadership. »