Leadership lessons

Check the bestseller lists on most weeks, and more than likely you will find a book that claims to have the answers to all our problems. The current book rage is “The Secret,” which presents what it calls the great secrets from centuries of oral tradition, literature, religion and philosophy.

Generally, we understand and appreciate that there is no mystery or secret to success. We often know instinctively what needs to be done to succeed. But too often, obstacles stand in the way. We know that no secret or magic can help us overcome those obstacles. However, we do have lessons and experiences to draw from that teach us that we can surmount the difficult tasks we face.

In this issue, we highlight some of the secrets of success in the government information technology community. Here are leadership lessons from winners of Federal Computer Week’s 2007 Federal 100 Awards. The award winners are exceptional people who have done remarkable things. We hope that these people — all 100 winners — provide insights into success in meeting the important challenges facing this community.

• Boutelle: Leading by teaching


• Michael Butler: Leading from experience


• Lt. Col. Edward Clayson: Leading by leaving nothing to chance


• Gregory Giddens: Leading under scrutiny


• Joseph Hagin: Leading by setting expectations


• Rubens Medina: Leading with a vision


• Philip McKinney: Leading by going against the grain


• Maj. Gen. Marilyn Quagliotti: Leading by pitching in


• Timothy Wang: Leading by adapting


• David Wennergren: Leading through empowering others