The Four Hats
of Leadership by Drake Taylor is an excellent book for honing up leadership
skills. This short, yet comprehensive, book holds a different narrative by
showcasing four types of hats (methods) that can optimistically change the
course of any leader's or normal-sounding person’s career path or life, all the
more, the book is highly relevant to the people working in the business and the
corporate world. No matter, where you work or live, leadership is needed, even
at your home to protect and guide your kids. So, given the opportunity, one
should not shy away from gaining the skills from all possible sources, because
true leadership is something that affects the humanity most – be it history or
now.
To understand
this book, one needs to delve a bit deeper in the philosophy attached with each
concept. Being a leader never means a towering personality and passing orders
in a stern voice. To become perfect in leadership, one needs to wear four hats
i.e. The Farmer’s Hat, The Drill Instructor’s Hat, The Psychologist’s Hat, and The
Self-Care Hat. These hats are not physical attributes or imply donning all four
hats at a same time (that would look funny). Rather, it means, subjectively,
that one has to carry the mix of all these four types of personality patterns
to become one solid leader, who can always deliver without flinching a bit.
The first hat
talked about is Farmer’s Hat? How is that relevant? Just a farmer selects the
seeds, sows, and then monitor the crop, and identify the potential and threat.
Similarly, a leader too has to go through this process in order to get the best
from his/her people. Getting the best from the team people is as good as
delivering the best as a leader.
Another
interesting hat is, Drill Instructor. Its semblance looks aggressive, however,
that’s not the case. DI hat instills a sense of obedience in the team. There
are many aspects that can be used under this hat, such as Shock, Surprise, Stern
Voice, Talk in the Face, and so on. This hat is quite practicable in armed
forces, as the author himself was into the US Air Force. Thus, inclusion of DI
hat, and the wisdom associated has spiraled from his own experiences.
Remaining two
hats are The Psychologist’s Hat, and The Self-Care Hat. They too are important,
though sound subtle. Points touched in the Self-Care Hat are indeed worth
noting down. As a leader, one must know how to take care of oneself. Devoid of
this hat can make one devoid of basic aspects and ultimately leads to exhaustion
and frustration. Yes, it is the self-care hat that keeps a leader cool and
composed.
The major
takeaway from the book is that often books on management and leadership skills
teach how to become a leader, but this one equally focuses on follow as well. A
true leader has to follow as well to keep his intuitive and learning curve
steep. Leading and following gives 360 degree angle to the overall leadership
approach. For extracting better off dogma, it is recommended to read this book
at least twice.
Drake has
composed an essential book on leadership, with inclusion of real-life stories
and his own experiences. Well-written, with no boredom at all. Had there been
more pictures, it could have lured many more hearts.
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