Lead Care Win: How to Become a Leader Who Matters
Dan Pontefract
Figure 1 Publishing (September 2020)

“If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” Eppie Lederer (Ann Landers)

I have read and reviewed each of Dan Pontefract’s three previously published books — Open to Think (2018), The Purpose Effect (2018), and Flat Army (2013) — and was eager to read his latest. I can assure you that it is even more thoughtful and thought-provoking than any of its predecessors. However, it poses significant challenges to persons such as I who attempt to share our own thoughts about and in response to  Pontefract’s question: “How to become a leader who matters?”

The word “become” correctly suggests a developmental process. The word “matters” correctly suggests leadership that has a positive, substantial impact on one’s self and associates as well as on the given organization. In some cases, it could be on an entire country or region. Or perhaps on an era.

Pontefract makes skillful use of a framework of nine “Lessons.” He devotes a separate chapter to each, integrating these reader-friendly devices within his lively narrative: “5 Leadership Questions to Ask Yourself” about [fill in]; “Your ‘[fill in] quotient’ is in peril” when [fill in]; “Top 5 Benefits” of [fill in]; and “Takeaways” from each of Lessons 1-9. I prefer viewing these “Lessons” as promises to be kept, as commitments to personal growth and professional development, both our own and others’.

With rare exception, great leaders throughout history have viewed themselves as “works in progress.” All of Pontefract’s books — and especially this one — indicate that is how he views his own life but also the life of every other person he encounters, whenever and wherever that may be. There are no strangers in his world, only people he has not as yet met.  Nothing is impossible; it just hasn’t been done yet. The “lessons” he shares are lessons he has learned over a remarkably well-lived life (thus far). I think of him as the Johnny Appleseed of knowledge transfers and wisdom exchanges.

Here’s my take on the nine:

1. Be relatable: Be as open-minded as you can be without letting your brains fall out.
2. Play for meaning: If you don’t care or care enough, why should anyone else?
3. Stay present: Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow ain’t here yet; focus on NOW and live there fully.
4. Remain curious: Identifying and eliminating your “unknown unknowns” is Priority One.
5. Embrace change: Absorb and digest the unexpected disruption rather than try to ignore or deny it.
6. Dare to share: That includes success and joy but also blood, sweat, tears, failure, and heartache.
7. Command clarity: Trust despite doubts, not because you think you don’t have any. (You should.)
8. Commit to balance: Celebrate what is unique about all four seasons, for better or worse.
9. Champion others: Be ready, indeed EAGER to be an anchor or a sail for whoever needs one.

Pontefract has almost (but not quite) unlimited generosity, sharing a wealth of information, insights, and counsel.

Inspired by him, I now share a covey of my favorite quotations. They possess wisdom that I lack…and you may need.

o “Cherish those who seek the truth but beware of those who find it.” Voltaire.
o “People won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Theodore Roosevelt
o “The early bird may get the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese.” Steven Wright
o “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re probably right.” Henry Ford
o “You don’t want to have habits that are too light to notice until they’re too strong to break.” Warren Buffett
o “Vision without execution is hallucination.” Thomas Edison
o “Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.” Margaret Mead

This is Dan Pontefract’s most valuable book (to date) because it is his most personally engaged and most passionate as well as his most insightful and most affirmative. I expect his next book to be even moreso because I it is certain to reflect his growth and development from now until then.

Like Henri Barbusse’s hero in L’Enfer, he “sees too deeply and sees too much.” Helping others to do so remains his challenge…and his mission. He would suggest that it is his privilege.