Brad Mahon’s best-selling book offers practical guidance for “accidental leaders”
By Joan Janzen
KINDERSLEY - The community of Kindersley is well acquainted with Brad Mahon as the President and CEO of Great Plains College; however he has many additional attributes. Not only was he a university dean, serves on the Colleges and Institutes Canada’s Board of Directors, but he’s also a professional guitarist and member of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s College of Examiners.
Now Brad is also an author; his book entitled Leadership is Personal has become an international bestseller. “The book is for other “accidental leaders” - those who perhaps didn’t intend to be in a leadership role,” Brad said. “The reality is few receive formal leadership training, which can lead to feelings of self-doubt. I hope readers can learn from my successes and failures.”
Brad Mahon recently wrote his best-selling book entitled Leadership is Personal. Brad is well-known in Kindersley and area as President and CEO of Great Plains College. SUBMITTED
When asked what inspired Brad to write his book, he replied, “As I settled into my first administrative role, I struggled with feelings of uncertainty. The boardroom was different from the classroom and concert stage.”
His journey of building self-confidence, discipline and daily commitment to learn and improve, inspired the crafting of his first book. The writing process occurred during a year of evenings and weekends.
His book focuses on three primary topics. Part 1 focuses on leaders identifying their values, finding their voice and creating their vision. Part 2 is all about building partnerships by connecting and assessing your community. And part 3 addresses hiring practices, communication and modelling organizational values.
“I have been a student of leadership for many years. If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that success can be studied and duplicated, just as Jimi Hendrix drew inspiration from Bob Dylan,” he said.
“It’s not meant to be a leadership textbook,” he concluded. “It’s more practical in approach.”
One of the core messages he relays is: Walk the talk. “As a leader, you set the culture through your words, actions, and what you celebrate. By modelling desired behaviours, communicating with transparency, hiring for values fit, and inspiring your team, you can realign your organization to support your community-focused leadership.”
It doesn’t get more practical than that. Brad’s book delivers practical training for “accidental leaders” by offering “intentional guidance”.