WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR A PERSON TO BE CALLED A GOOD LEADER NOT GREAT JUST GOOD?
I was asked this question in Los Angeles CA this past week during a leadership seminar which I was asked to be part of which I jumped at the opportunity because of course anytime you get an opportunity to make an impression regarding your skills and perspective it is important to share such things.
I have read many many books and have done many many hours of research on this subject and I have to tell you that it is a continuous search for the best explanation. Here are some I have read in the past;
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| Inspiration comes form my beautiful kids who inspire me to live every day-Luciano The Key Santini |
One thing that I believe regarding leadership is the following;
To me definitions by their nature are
pragmatic. Like a laundry list of attributes... Rather than what makes
a leader worth following. My humble opinion is a leader worth
following must have conviction. They must believe in the cause, program,
objective... whatever.
They must have enough self confidence which is sometimes confused by those who do not know nor understand the difference with arrogance to
surround themselves with good people and the humility to consider
alternative opinions. No "yes" men. They must be able to articulate,
communicate, and be personable. OK, so add in integrity, honesty, responsibility, tenacity
and vision.
Revett Eldred- said something at a seminar that I really loved and holds so much truth regarding leadership:
I define a leader as someone who takes people
to places they wouldn't have gone on their own. In other words, someone
who can somehow convince others to become followers.
I think a book called The art of war will help define a leader for you.
A leader is someone who can be admired, who listens to people, who encourages people but can steer that encouragement in the correct direction.
A leader must have belief in what they are doing and en still this belief into everyone who follows.
A leader must be transparent and let everyone it leads know the aims of the leadership and know where the organization is going.
A leader must lead my example and not by words.
A leader can have many different characteristics and a different mixture depending on what organization they are leading and where they are leading it.
A leader is someone who can be admired, who listens to people, who encourages people but can steer that encouragement in the correct direction.
A leader must have belief in what they are doing and en still this belief into everyone who follows.
A leader must be transparent and let everyone it leads know the aims of the leadership and know where the organization is going.
A leader must lead my example and not by words.
A leader can have many different characteristics and a different mixture depending on what organization they are leading and where they are leading it.
A leader (in no order of importance):
1) sets the standard and accepts nothing less from himself or his subordinates.
2) must have conviction and believe in what he is doing.
3) sets his subordinates up for success.
4) is willing to admit his mistakes.
5) is a person of integrity, character and honor.
6) willing to make the hard decision.
7) can see the broad picture.
8) effectively and efficiently uses his subordinates to get the job done in the best way possible.
9) will never ask his subordinates to do something that he will not do himself.
10) knows his people, like family.
1) sets the standard and accepts nothing less from himself or his subordinates.
2) must have conviction and believe in what he is doing.
3) sets his subordinates up for success.
4) is willing to admit his mistakes.
5) is a person of integrity, character and honor.
6) willing to make the hard decision.
7) can see the broad picture.
8) effectively and efficiently uses his subordinates to get the job done in the best way possible.
9) will never ask his subordinates to do something that he will not do himself.
10) knows his people, like family.
I have to say that these are just a few that I have read by different authors who I might have at one time or another sat with them during my research for school. I also believe that a real leader is one that does the right thing and not the thing to please someone above them. I never said nor has it ever been said in the last 2000 years that being a leader is easy ever! Being a leader is a difficult thing to do Many will make mistakes and that is OK as long as you learn from that mistake and correct it the next time..
A real leader is thrilled when team members achieve great things. A mere manager is threatened.
In the grand scheme of things, a mere manager doesn't have much. He
or she hasn't aspired to enough in life, and has taken on a bureaucratic
role. Yet that's all he or she has, and as a result, the fear of losing
it can be overwhelming. Thus, when a team member outgrows her role, a
manager worries first about being outshone.
A true leader, on the other hand, takes his or her team members'
accomplishments as a point of pride, and recognizes that the mark of a
great leader isn't creating followers--but instead developing other
leaders.
A truly great leader on the other hand, could hardly care about reports ,
or whatever the equivalent is in his or her workplace (and probably has
to work to hide his or her contempt for such bureaucratic goofiness).
What matters most to him or her--it is what truly matters most their people.
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