A shared focus of BLI programs is the ten leadership habits. We invoke the idea of habit to signal that developing effective leadership takes sustained work and routine practice – until something becomes second nature. The Habits are crafted to be general and can be practiced with increasing complexity as circumstances require. They are habits because students will internalize them through their efforts on campus and thus be able to draw on and innovate with them when they face new opportunities and unknown situations after their time at Michigan has ended. These habits and the associated content, case studies, and learning activities form the shared core of BLI programming.
Start Where You Are
Leadership cannot be learned in the abstract. Start with the skills you have now and work to develop them.
Habits: Infuse vision with values; Begin with your strengths; Challenge your weaknesses; Embrace Vulnerability
Collect, Combine, Create
Creativity is using what exists to do new things or to do old things in new ways. Collect and combine knowledge and skills that can be building blocks.
Habits: Cultivate surprise; Gather interesting things; Revisit sources of inspiration; Explore new ideas through creative practice
Always Ask
Authentic curiosity about people and situations is the hallmark of a good leader. Actively learn from all you encounter.
Habits: Ask first; Start with why; Search for problems and solutions; Use “yes, and;” Cultivate active listening
Build A Team
Leadership is a social activity. Important problems generally cannot be tackled alone. Build a team to create and implement a vision
Habits: Work with and through others; Practice leadership roles (facilitator, decision-maker, follower, mediator); Attend to process; Communicate the vision
Value Difference
Teams with diverse skills, knowledge, and backgrounds define better problems and find more effective solutions.
Habits: Avoid self-replication; Seek out different perspectives; Let discomfort inspire; Acknowledge and remove barriers
Start Small
Giant goals and formidable problems make it hard to start work. Concrete, complete, and implemented small successes build alliances and momentum for your projects.
Habits: Conduct leadership experiments; Put visions in real-world situations; Define achievable goals
Work to Learn
Talking together is great, but working together builds real, productive relationships. Action, thought, and reflection build leaders, but their order doesn't matter.
Habits: Take your first step; Capture the results; Alter your plans after input from others
Expect Challenges
Situations change. Plans often fail. People act in unexpected ways. Anticipate obstacles to increase your resilience.
Habits: Identify critical points; Develop a backup plan; Approach setbacks with an open mind; Seek productive skeptics
Pause and Reflect
Exploring your experiences is key to learning for people, projects, and teams. Draw lessons across your activities.
Habits: Spend time alone, in solitude; Debrief often; Check process with your team; Have hard conversations; Work in and on your relationships
Engage the World
Important decisions are always made partially blind. Look at what others have tried. Understand what your stakeholders value and need. Identify what is needed and act.
