Silent Leadership

"We must be silent before we can listen.
We must listen before we can learn.
We must learn before we can prepare.
We must prepare before we can serve.
We must serve before we can lead."

                                                                --William A. Ward

Beyond these poignant words, I am not sure what other advice today's business leaders should heed.

Ikea's $62 M Pledge for African Relief is Leadership In Deed

When Ikea announced its foundation would send $62 million to help the victims of the Kenyan famine, the world's largest furniture chain reached another milestone. Ikea's pledge is the largest private donation to go to a UN relief agency in the agency's 60-year history.  At a time when national governments and transnational corporations seem impervious to the suffering in that region, Ikea's business leadership speaks volumes through its deeds. Critics have taken on the Swedish company over labor and supplier matters. But if Ikea's commitment to salve the human condition is any indication of its character as a company, the other issues should be easily solved.

Innovation as Leadership

"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. To turn really interesting ideas and fledgling technologies into a company that can continue to innovate for years, it requires a lot of discipline." 

This advice from Steve Jobs provides a key insight into the philosophy that drives a company like Apple. 

Apple's innovation in consumer technology has outpaced almost every other competitor in the marketplace. Remarkably, Apple's leadership has been accomplished by sheer performance. It is not known for its philanthropy, or for its political influence, or for its corporate sponsorships. Apple's solid reputation as a good corporate citizen emanates from  its ability to deliver what consumers want, even before they know it.

This form of social leadership through innovation seems to be a model that new technology companies are most comfortable in following.  The challenge for other companies, however, will be to remain as innovative as Apple in the long run.  Otherwise, they should be prepared to bolster their leadership through more recognized avenues of corporate citizenship.