Effective leadership begins with
you. To be an effective, trusted and admired leader, you must consistently provide
an empowering example for others to follow. An example that empowers others to
achieve what they are capable of is one that is true, calm, intelligent, fair,
inspiring and forward focused. It is proactive rather than reactive,
egalitarian in nature, and never fear based. The greatest leaders in history
had these very same qualities, which is what spoke to the hearts and minds of
their followers.
One critical
trait of being an effective, trusted and admired leader is self-accountability.
When you are self-accountable, you hold yourself to the standards of integrity,
openness, team work, truly listening, effective communication, empowering
others, learning, growth and implementation. A true leader doesn’t need others
to hold them accountable, because they know the power of implementing these
qualities on a consistent basis. In fact, an effective, trusted and admired
leader enjoys holding himself or herself accountable to the very best that is
within them. They also find pleasure in helping others to be their very best as
well, and they develop constructive approaches to accomplish this
transformative feat.
If you have ever been in a situation where the person in the leadership
position was irrational, not calm and composed, didn’t listen, and was verbally
abusive or demeaning to those involved, then you understand that leadership is
about one’s actions and not their title. In this type of instance, where the
“leader” adds to the dysfunction of the situation as opposed to contributing to
its improvement, leadership is damaged and destroyed. Team members come to distrust
this person and loyalty evaporates. They also lose the willingness to listen to
this leader, respect for the person vanishes, and so does their desire to
follow their leadership.
Truly effective, trusted and admired leadership is not about ordering
people around like a drill sergeant. Leadership is about helping those around
you become leaders in their own right. It’s about guiding people to the
discovery and utilization of their potential on a consistent basis. Rather than
creating dependency and fear in others, a true leader mentors others to reach
for more in the pursuit of happiness and success.
The very best leaders are those that look upon themselves first for the
improvements that can be made. They do not blame others, they look in the
mirror, own what is theirs to fix, do so, and then, work constructively with
others to be accountable as well. They are not the victims of others or
circumstances, and they do not break in the face of challenging situations.
Effective, trusted and admired leaders are solution-oriented; rather than
seeing problems, they see opportunities for growth, development and
improvement. They have a “get-to” attitude, are grateful for life and all that
it contains, and they do not take people and life for granted. They understand
the value of life, time and empowered team members.
Developing the ability to lead has an enormously positive effect on the
success of your businesses. As the leadership becomes more effective so does
the rest of the team. With this, the company will thrive as team members are
inspired, positive energy grows, and as people feel heard, recognized,
supported, valued, and are encouraged to become their very best. If, after
honest self-appraisal, you believe that you and your business would benefit
from some leadership development work then contact a qualified professional to
assist you.
Effective, trusted and admired leadership, in
life and business, is about holding yourself accountable first, to a direction
and an outcome. From there, the people around you will have a solid example to
follow, and greater success for all will ensue.
As a leader, it is wise to be what you want from others first and to
treat people as you would want to be treated. This is called integrity, and
that is the foundation of true leadership.
No comments:
Post a Comment