Radcliffe's philosophy is that leadership isn't complicated - just keep it simple and make it count. The framework he presents in this book derives from 20 years working with real leaders in real leadership situations.
What Radcliffe says he means by leadership is "you being at your best". Everyone can be a leader, he claims, and make a bigger difference. All you need is to be "up to something" that matters to you - a dream, a goal, an ambition for yourself, your team or your organisation.
Future - Engage - Deliver
At the heart of Radcliffe's philosophy of leadership is his FED model:
- Be guided by the Future you want and stay focused on your vision.
- Engage others in productive and stimulating working relationships that make things happen.
- Deliver the results you need to really move your business forward.
Be at your best, more of the time
How you are is contagious! So if you're at your best, the likelihood of those around you showing up positively is enhanced. But how do you ensure that you are at your best?
Radcliffe suggests that what takes you forward in life and underpins you being your best is what gives you resilience, perseverence and determination. These factors are:
- what you care about
- what you value
- what's important to you
- what you want to see
Conversely, what pulls you back and undermines you being at your best are disabling factors such as:
- limiting beliefs
- doubts
- fears
- uncertainties
Radcliffe says the way to loosen the grip of these limiting factors is to adopt what he calls two 'Conscious Practices':
The first is to be aware in any moment of who you're being and whether it's who you want to be. And the second is to choose who you want to be. It's as simple - but sometimes, not as easy - as that!