Personal Leadership

Abstract

Leaders should regularly ask themselves ‘What is driving me?’ and ‘What are my motives to lead?’ We have become preoccupied with our curriculum vitae (CV). This overview of our educational background, the positions we have held, the responsibilities we have assumed, and the results we have achieved has become a ‘this is me’ statement. It reflects our progress, our professional direction, and may even provide indications about our future career. While a CV is a testimony of what we have done, it does not answer why. A CV does not address the following questions: Who are you as a leader? What kind of leader are you? Which values and principles underlie your actions and behaviors? Knowing the answers to these questions is crucial to ensuring that your career stays on course and that you are able to take decisions with integrity.