A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision
comes from passion, not position.
John Maxwell
You know the question. Are leaders born or made? The answer is Yes.
Some people are born with some innate talents that lend themselves to making them good leaders. But these traits do not guarantee that a good, much less great leader will emerge. A leader is formed, and the whole process begins inside the most dangerous place you will ever encounter, your own mind.
How can you become, be seen as, transform yourself into a stronger leader who inspires others, drives people toward excellence, holds people accountable, and instills a sense of trust? The first important step is that you need to study and learn what makes a great leader, great, in the first place. The next step is to learn yourself and master you. You are your brand, your product, your sales item. Are people buying into what you are selling? If not, take a step back and breathe. Here are some areas that you may need to give attention to after honestly evaluation who you are, and what you bring to the table.
1. Control yourself
Every leader in history who has ever been perceived as great, for the long haul, has had to become a master of self-discipline and willpower in order to remain focused on the bigger picture. If you don’t have set goals, or you do not possess the drive to achieve them, how can you expect to be able to lead others to attain theirs?
Follow through in everything you do. As challenging as this will may be, you need to be disciplined enough to be where you need to be, be there when you need to be there, whether you want to be there or not, and come prepared. By being strong enough in your resolve to resist the temptation of giving up, you are setting an example for others to follow.
You must learn to choose your emotional response to all situation very carefully. Sometimes, as difficult as this may be for you, you will need to practice the art of silencing your inner thoughts, especially when they are inappropriate to the situation in order to continue to set a more positive and productive example.
2. Know and project your goals
If the people you are trying to lead do not completely understand the deeper meaning in their work, they may not be able to share your vision or work ethic. In every step of the way, communicate with your team members to make sure that everyone is on the same wavelength and so that everyone knows what is expected of them.
Get, and keep your team involved in the planning process and in the implementation of your ideas. This helps everyone have a greater sense of ownership toward the final result.
3. Praise highly and criticize constructively
The way you praise and criticize others can make all the difference in being able to lead your team effectively.
Be certain that you publicly praise the people who do excellent work for you. You will give that person a sense of accomplishment and the drive to continue to do better.
When someone does something wrong, offer constructive criticism, but do it privately. Offer concrete suggestions and solutions to how they can improve the process and take the time to answer any of their questions. They are much more likely to accept your input more willingly if they know that it is done to help and not to cause harm, or maliciously.
4. Know your people
You cannot really lead a group of people, especially if you are just starting out, unless you have begun to understand their hopes, dreams, struggles, pains, and goals. All of the good intentioned chatter in the world mean nothing to them unless you have a true sense of the people that you are working with.
Talk to your team members and get to know them. Getting to know each other on a personal level will help strengthen the bonds between you. They will want to do better for you because you are more than just a “boss.”?
But, remember, it is much like parenting. Be their leader, first, and their friend second. You are their leader and that means that sometimes you will have to make difficult decisions. These decisions should not be affected by personal relationships.
5. Make the hard call
There will be times when you will have to bite the bullet and make some unpleasant decisions. Firing, demoting, and holding people accountable for their actions can be very difficult at times. As a leader, it is your responsibility to handle these matters.
Regardless of where your leadership role takes you, believe that you can be a strong leader. Remember that in order to lead others, you must be disciplined yourself. After all, your actions will usually speak much louder than anything you can ever say.
In order to gain the respect of others, strive to lead by example in every area of your life.
Thoughts?
Photo Credit: Pulpolux !!! via Compfight cc
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