In Turning Pro, author Steven Pressfield explains the difference between amateurs and professionals, in any field. Pressfield likens amateurs to addicts – not just drug addicts, but addicts of all forms. In contrast, artists – real artists, are professionals. If you’re passionate about something – anything – and wonder why you’re not making more progress, read this book. I did and, then I read it again and again and again.
After about my third read, I jotted down my perspectives on the difference between the amateur leader and the professional leader. Here’s my take on the difference between an addict and a professional in leadership:
The Amateur Leader
Controls- Spins
- Seeks titles and compensation
- Desires praise
- Holds a grudge
- Seeks work/life balance
- Worries about who is to blame, to avoid blame theirself
- Takes the praise so they look good to others
- Expects others to do the dirty work
- Watches the clock
- Worries about when their people arrive and leave
- Seeks the approval of others
- Asks, “What’s in it for me?”
- Worries about perception
The Professional Leader
- Serves
- Delivers
- Seeks impact and evolution
- Desires results
- Moves on
- Seeks work/life alignment
- Takes the blame, so the team can move on
- Shares the praise, so the team is rewarded
- Worries about what people accomplish
- Does the dirty work and expects the same of others
- Watches the deliverable
- Seeks an inner-peace with themselves
- Asks, “How will this help our team?”
- Worries about reality
Many thanks to Chris Brogan for pointing me to Pressfield’s work and of course, to Mr. Pressfield for this great book.
Question: Have you turned Pro? If not, what are you doing about it? You can leave a comment here.
