Unusually Excellent

About the Author

John Hamm is a distinguished leadership expert and executive coach whose works have been widely recognized in esteemed publications such as The Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Business 2.0, BusinessWeek, Fortune, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal. His influential articles, including "The Five Messages Leaders Must Manage" and "Why Entrepreneurs Don't Scale," have been seminal contributions to the field of leadership and management. Hamm's expertise is grounded in a profound understanding of leadership dynamics and a commitment to fostering exceptional leadership practices.

Main Idea

Unusually Excellent: The Necessary Nine Skills Required for the Practice of Great Leadership by John Hamm provides a comprehensive framework for aspiring and seasoned leaders to master the fundamental skills necessary for exceptional leadership. Hamm posits that leadership excellence is not a singular concept but an interconnected system of actions, ideas, emotions, cultural forces, history, and expectations. This system is encapsulated in the "Necessary Nine" skills, which are essential for leaders to earn credibility, demonstrate competence, and establish a lasting legacy of values.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Part One: Credibility - Earning the Right to Lead Through Character
• Being Authentic
• Being Trustworthy
• Being Compelling
• Part Two: Competence - Leading on the Field with Skill
• Leading People
• Leading Strategy
• Leading Execution
• Part Three: Consequence - Creating a Culture, Leaving a Legacy of Values
• Communication
• Decision Making
• Impact

Introduction

Hamm introduces the concept of "Unusually Excellent" leadership, emphasizing that true leadership is a blend of character, competence, and consequence. He stresses the importance of mastering the fundamentals of leadership, which he distills into nine essential skills. These skills, when practiced consistently, create a powerful and interconnected system that elevates leaders to a higher plane of effectiveness.

Part One: Credibility - Earning the Right to Lead Through Character

Being Authentic

Authenticity is the cornerstone of leadership credibility. Hamm asserts that leaders must know who they truly are and remain true to themselves, especially in challenging situations. Authentic leaders inspire trust and loyalty because their followers see them as genuine and consistent.

"Being authentic — knowing who you really are and holding true to yourself in the most difficult moments — is 'ground zero' of leadership credibility." — John Hamm

To illustrate authenticity, consider these examples:

1. Leaders who openly share their failures and lessons learned, demonstrating humility and growth.
2. Leaders who make decisions aligned with their core values, even when facing opposition.

Being Trustworthy

Trustworthiness is built on integrity and consistency. Hamm emphasizes that leaders who are honest, fair, and reliable foster a culture of trust within their organizations. This trust is essential for effective teamwork and organizational success.

"Trust is about safety. The presence of trust, in organizations, creates the feeling of confidence — a secure knowledge that our behavior, our work and our performance will be evaluated in an objective, rational and consistent way." — John Hamm

To build trust, leaders should:

• Demonstrate transparency in their decision-making processes.
• Honor their commitments and promises.
• Encourage open communication and feedback.

Being Compelling

Compelling leaders have a clear and inspiring vision that motivates their followers. They create a sense of purpose and urgency, driving their teams towards achieving shared goals. Hamm highlights that compelling leaders are not just admired; they inspire action and commitment.

"Compelling leaders create a following that is different from one of 'believers'; leaders find and inspire followers who commit not just with their mind or hearts, but also with their time and energy." — John Hamm

compelling leadership include:

1. Leaders who articulate a bold vision and align their team’s efforts towards achieving it.
2. Leaders who recognize and celebrate their team’s achievements, reinforcing their commitment to the vision.

Part Two: Competence - Leading on the Field with Skill

Leading People

Leading people involves understanding human dynamics and creating an environment where individuals can thrive. Hamm argues that talent is the greatest asset of any organization, and leaders must prioritize hiring and developing the best people.

"Every business is a 'people' business, because every business — indeed, every meaningful endeavor — is composed of human beings taking action in an organized manner to accomplish the mission in front of them." — John Hamm

Effective people leadership involves:

• Recruiting and retaining top talent.
• Fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.
• Empowering employees to take ownership of their roles.

Leading Strategy

Strategic leadership is about translating ideas into actionable plans. Hamm emphasizes that strategy is not just about having a plan but also about adapting to real-world conditions and ensuring that the organization’s resources are aligned with its goals.