Stages of becoming a leader

Bobby Clinton describes the lifetime of a leaders as taking six stages:

1. Foundations

The experiences you go through as a child only appear important later on. Becoming a leader starts at birth, and you are shaped as a person.

2. Growth

You go through testing and difficult experiences. You learn your own set of lessons in integrity and grow as a person. At this stage, your potential is identified.

3. Maturing

You find out what you can and can't do, and perhaps get formal training or education. You learn a lot through relationships.

4. A more mature life

You have now figured out who you are, what you can and can't do, and have your own set of priorities. You gain breadth of experience.

5. Convergence

You naturally move into a role that best fits the kind of person you have become, and don't do things that you know you're not good at. The person you have become fits the role of leader you were meant to be. You are most productive at this stage.

6. Afterglow

After retirement, you have a wide network of contacts and indirect influence. You reflect on your many experiences and others come to for advice.

J. Robert Clinton, The Making of a Leader, Colorado Springs, CO: Navpress, 1988.