In a recent workshop for seasoned project managers on 7 Essentials for Emerging Leaders I was asked a question we get regularly.

Which of the 7 Essentials we discuss here is the most important?

See more detail by downloading the video-enhanced ebook. The 7 Essentials are:

• The 90/10 – 60/40 Equation
• Personal Brilliance
• Listening
• Influence
• Leader as Teacher
• Resilience
• Change Leadership

The answer to the question is clearly and definitively – It depends.

It depends on the environment, your current situation, and your history. Also, how much work you have done on these essentials will determine how much time you should spend on each one in your development plan.

I was never completely comfortable with this answer.

While in front of the group an analogy popped into my head that I think describes how we should think of each area of leadership development. Rather than look for the most important essential. How about if we think about the 7 essentials as a multi-vitamin? We need all of these skills to function optimally as a leader. Perhaps at certain times we may need additional supplementation for a particular essential, just like we may need more zinc or vitamin B6.

We measure leadership development progress using the 7 essentials here at ELCircle. They’re all important. Thinking about them in terms of a leadership development plan requires that we improve in all 7 areas while supplementing specific essentials as your circumstances warrant.

I hope the multi-vitamin analogy helps clarify this common question.

If you would like to bring this popular workshop to your organization call 800.370.7373 to discuss or email.

Photo credit: araza123

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