LEADERSHIP MATURITY.

It is difficult to overstate the importance of maturity in leadership. Effective leaders demonstrate both intellectual and emotional maturity. Intellectual maturity in leadership means that leaders are apt at developing strategy processes, people processes, and organizational processes (Bossidy & Charan), while emotional intelligence implies self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management (Goleman). All of us, as leaders, can and should continue to grow in these areas. In fact, everyone can lead because maturity comes with the acceptance of responsibility, not with age. We have all experienced 17-year-olds with more leadership capacity than 40-year-olds. In nature, “tree rings” show maturity in trees, indicating seasons of growth. But unlike trees, as people, although we are young once, we can be childish forever. Mature leaders understand that growth means developing deep roots of character and a breadth of integrity to withstand the winds of leadership pressure that can topple the “unseasoned.” Mature leaders confront inappropriate behavior, reflect on their actions, and can admit when they are wrong. Leadership maturity cultivates institutional stability and coherence critical to achieving organizational effectiveness. #LeadWithMaturity

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