Leadership

Introduction

When considering the qualities you are looking for in a person to see whether they would make a potential leader, think of a jigsaw puzzle. It comes with a picture on the cover of the box of what the completed puzzle will look like. Whilst assembling the puzzle, you will be constantly referring to the picture to see where a particular piece fits. Sometimes, even after looking at the picture, we cannot work out where it fits. We will put it aside and try again at a later time. We may have to do this several times before we finally locate the correct position for the piece. Likewise, the qualities of the leader may not appear immediately obvious to us.

Quotation:

"The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems."

Gandhi

Characteristics of a Leader

Leaders will exhibit certain qualities:

1. Make things happen. They will get it done. These are the "can do" people because the battle, pain and cost of labour does not interest them. They will not make excuses. They will produce results.

2. Optimism. A leader must be able to communicate confidence to the team.

Quotation:

"You have the potential within you to reach the stars! Believe in yourself and don't allow anyone nor anything to stand in your way. Believe you are the best."

Florence Griffith Joyner

3. Identify and seize opportunities. When you know where it is you are heading and have a clear picture/plan/agenda, you will move towards it. You will not be side-tracked to waste time on other matters as you will feel comfortable with where you are heading.

Quotation:

"Don't listen to those who say, "It's not done that way." Maybe it's not, but maybe you'll do it anyway. Don't listen to those who say, "You're taking too big a chance." Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor, and it would surely be rubbed out today."

Neil Simon, Playwright

4. Passionate. Leaders are passionate about their cause and maintain a realness of who they are at all times. They are self-motivated.

5. Inspire by example. Provide strong symbolic actions that are easy for others to model in their own behaviours. It is important to take actions when you are a leader. Your people need a sense of security and this is exhibited when affirmative action is coming from the leader. This is one of the strongest motivators available to a leader.

Quotation:

"Do what you do so well that those who see you do what you do are going to come back to see you do it again and tell others that they
should see you do what you do."

Walt Disney

6. Willing to take a risk. The avoidance of risk will not bring about success. Failure is a part of success. Any person who has become very successful has failed at some point in their past. Sometimes a bold move has to be made. Provided you keep your eyes focused ahead on the bigger picture you will be able to minimise the effects of failure and be aware in the future. This takes courage. 7. Flexible yet focused. There is no point in heading in one direction when all the signals are telling you there is another direction you need to be taking. There is no point climbing the ladder of success if it is leaning against the wrong wall. When you are lacking in a particular quality, it is best to rely on the people with the wisdom. 8. Have influence over others. Leaders are able to motivate others to do what is required without the inference of the power of position. A test is to see whether a person is able to lead volunteers, because they do not have to follow. No financial leverage exists under these circumstances. 9. Add value to everyone. The leaders prime purpose is to increase the bottom line. This is achieved through leading people and managing processes. It is about adding value to everyone in the organisation who is capable of adding value.

 





10. Work on the morale and cohesion of the team. This is achieved by continually reinforcing the message that we are a team and in this together. Leaders frequently will use the word "we" in discussions and will at all times minimise status differences between team members. 11. Lead in a time of crisis. The true character of a leader will appear when placed in a crisis. It is said that most people can lead an organisation when everything is going well. The true test of a leader appears when the business is faced with a crisis. Is the leader up front showing confidence or locked behind closed doors? 12. Unselfishness. Leaders must put the organisation above their personal needs, to add value and to move it forward. When the leader puts themselves above the people, then manipulation is in place. People will eventually become aware and will not be motivated to achieve the objectives. It is when the leader puts the people above themselves that natural motivation results and growth occurs.


13. Regularly review progress. Leaders will be constantly monitoring people and processes. Is performance at acceptable standards? If a performance gap exists, what has to be altered to bring about an improvement in performance.

14. Improve themselves. Leaders must be constantly working on improving themselves. It is only whilst they are utilising the processes of continuous improvement will they grow and thus the organisation. This ranges from the latest management practices, human behavioural practices and inter personal skills.

Quotation:

"The greatest warrior is the one who can conquer themselves."

Confucius

Conclusion

A leader requires each of the above traits to continue to be successful and to leave a legacy in a business. Does the work of the leader stand up to the test of time?

Quotation:

"It is up to you, as the leader, to take your people to higher ground."

John Maxwell

The Dynamic Improvements Programme covers the various traits of leadership. It focuses on relationships and motivation issues.

Please contact Graeme Alford, Principal Executive/Life Coach, for further information.

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