Better than a medal

 I served on the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) staff as the Branch Chief for Information Assurance (J6K) and on the Secretary of Defense's staff as Staff Director for the Detainee Task Force from 2003 to 2006.  I am fairly certain I am the least decorated O6 during that time but I am proud to have this letter instead.

.

Is 10,000 hours enough?

 

 

I think this can be applied equally to leadership. Becoming truly great at anything -- (leadership included) -- requires ten years of experience and 1,000 hours of practice per year. 

"Ten thousand hours is the magic number of greatness," he argues.

Becoming a leader requires "deliberate practice." 

What are the elements of 'deliberate practice'? 

It's designed explicitly to improve performance -- the little adjustments that make a big difference. 

It's repetitive, which means that when it's time to perform for real, you don't feel the pressure. 

It's informed by continuous feedback; practicing leadership only works if you can see how you're improving. 

Bits and pieces paraphrased (and others cut and pasted) from HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW.