What Makes You Follow the Leader?
I love the subject of leadership!! Which is probably why I train leadership skills for a living. However, it seems more and more in my classes and in world news I hear stories of poor leadership. A class can get derailed in a moments notice (if I let it) by people wanting to vent about how managers don't walk the talk . Everyday in the news it seems there is yet another "leader" that has failed when it comes to leading with integrity and I am left wondering... where are the next great leaders going to come from?
I remind my participants (and myself) that leadership is not a position at an organization. It is not a title that you put on your business card. Leadership is influence and having people that will follow you regardless of the title you hold. It is your actions not your words that will influence others in a positive direction.
At various points in our day we are all leaders. You may be the leader of a large group in an organization and then come home to find out that your spouse is the leader in the household. It simply depends what role in our lives we are participating in at the moment.
So I ask you... what makes you follow a leader? How do they use their influence to make the lives of the people they lead more successful?
More important is what makes you a leader in your everyday life? What specific things do you do in your life in order to develop your leadership skills. The future of leadership will take everyone. We are all the next great leaders!!
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Great questions, Nancy.
I'm not sure if it's a list of personality traits, habits or behaviors, but I know it when I see it. I agree that management and administration have little to do with leadership.
It seems like true leadership is an exotic cocktail - a perfectly blended mix of many different ingredients that are incomplete alone but magical together. Here are some of the characteristics and key ingredients I've noticed in inspiring leaders:
Nancy, this is a great post and Charlie I love the list you have started.
I think folks that take the right action are great leaders. You can't take the right action unless you understand where you are and where you want to go (vision) and decisiveness.
I agree with your point about how leaders are often led as well. It's important to know your role in any situation.
There's also the fact that most great leaders have great support. Therefore, look at the people with whom the leader surrounds themselves.
Terry
Greatest lessons on leadership I've encountered have been through watching and studying Ben Zandler - world famous author and conductor of The Boston Philharmonic. In a world full of over used sports metaphors, he has a gentle grace and dignity that is most inspiring. Check out his website and you'll agree with me.
www.benjaminzander.com/
I would add two more to Charlie's list.
I would add a few more myself:
Check out the book 21 irrefutable laws of leadership by John C Maxwell.
A very good read and some good stuff in there.
One of the biggest things I learned about leadership is consistency: People follow those who they know will be good to follow always, if they need to walk on eggshells, it doesn't work
BR
That is one of my favorite books! John Maxwell is one of the best leadership writers out there in my opinion.
Thanks for you thoughts!
Besides all of the great things I've read from other members, trust stands out. The real leaders I meet, especially in tough times, are the people that others will follow because they trust their judgment and intentions. It's even okay to say, "I don't know, but I believe we should_____." A trusted leader will rally their followers and find the way together.
Ralph
I think a good leader is confident in his abilities, but willing to listen and take advice. A leader is only as good as the company he keeps. Many times the supporting case will make or break a leader.
Lead by Doing-- don't ask anyone to do something that you wouldn't be willing to do yourself.
An important aspect of leadership is reciprocal respect. I am big believer in this pilososphy - if you treat those who follow (work with) you with as much respect and decency as you would expect from them, a productive balance can be achieved with great results.
Some skills of leaders in additon to some of the points already touched:
1. "Common Sense"
2. Look ahead and plan on what is to come.
3. Communication (effective - I mean it). Listening included.
4. Be sensitive and understanding both to his/her team and end point (could be a person, task, goal etc)
5. Ability to follow through - Can start million missions but can you complete them ?
6. Horizontal level of skills / knowledge
7. To Motivate (understand what motivates the team)
8. Achieve the teams goal and also help achieve members personal objective.
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Some thing interesting from Mahathma Ghandiji - I believe a good leader will not commit these, what is called " 7 deadly Sins"
Henry Joshua
www.dot-sign.com
"Gateway to Your Web Identity"
I follow leaders who are focused, sincere, about something other than themselves, and who have the ability to unleash the best in others.