Leadership Dna, Book Two: Recognizing Good and Poor Leadership in the Real World

By Paul Okum

The first book, Leadership DNA examined the false premise that anyone can be a leader.

Paul Okum, a former US Army officer who has held numerous executive positions with the federal government, builds upon those insights in this second book, sharing techniques to identify, select, and help born leaders enhance their skills.

He explores how good leaders effectively overcome forty different types of challenges through short essays. Learn how to

avoid one-size-fits-all formulas;
use innate talents to deal with and solve challenges;
embrace the art of leadership over the science of leadership; and
weave a message of hope and confidence that others can embrace.

Okum also explains what leadership isnttoppling the arguments of leadership gurus who argue that leadership can be managed. The problem with that approach, he says, is that you cannot choreograph a leaders response to a wide range of human activity and organizational change. You cannot view leadership like a scientific calculation where adherence to formulas equals good leadership.

Whether youre a politician, business executive, or concerned citizen, youll be empowered to accomplish objectives with the insights in the second book of
Leadership DNA.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Feb 24, 2016
• ISBN: 9781491764541

Paul Okum

Paul Okum graduated from Temple University with a degree in business administration. A former U.S. Army officer, he has been an executive with the federal government in the Departments of Transportation, Interior, and Army, and was a human resources director with the Defense Department. He received six commendation medals for superior service. Visit his website at www.PaulOkum.com.

Book preview

PART 1

BUSINESS AND PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

1

DOING WHAT WE WERE MEANT TO DO

A ny discussion about leadership and how natural-born leaders respond to leadership challenges must start with an understanding that to be really good at something we must possess the corresponding level of innate talent. Within our unique set of inherited talents, we have the ability to excel at these activities, but because each person is unique, everyone cannot excel at everything. We don’t like to face this truth, because we were raised believing that if we want something badly enough, are willing to work hard to get it, and receive training or coaching in the subject, then we can be anything we want to be. This is a false dream. Colin Powell, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and secretary of state, said, That’s what you really have to look for in life, something that you like and something that you think you’re pretty good at. And if you can put these two things together, then you’re on the right track and just drive on. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a German statesman and writer, also said regarding this topic, The person born with a talent they are meant to use will find their greatest happiness in using it. In other words, do what you are passionate about and good at, and that will allow your natural talents to express themselves.

Consider the women and men who represent their countries in the Olympics. For everyone who competes, there are thousands of competitors who do not have the level of talent required to make the final cut and win the right to compete in the Olympics. Those women and men who are unsuccessful in the preliminary competitions have the desire, commitment, and training, but at some level of competition they fell short, while others who possess more talent made it to the Olympics. Further, out of all those who represent their countries, only an elite few actually win