How effective is the leadership at your company? Do you
see yourself as part of the problem or part of the solution?
It’s not just the responsibility of your manager to be an
effective leader. The ability to be an effective leader is the responsibility
of EVERY employee. That’s why it’s important for each and every one of us to
develop our personal leadership skills . . . regardless of our job level!
A proactive company recognizes and rewards those
employees who have the ability to bring out the best in the people they work
with. This ability is a result of learning and applying leadership
skills. You don’t need to be a supervisor, manager, director or office to do
this.
Henry Kissinger once said, "The task of a leader is to get people from where
they are to where they have not been."
So how do leaders often fail?
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Reluctant to take risks
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Rescuing and coddling problem people
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Drawing too much attention to themselves
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Getting mired down in details or "process"
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Displaying emotions too openly
How do effective leaders win?
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Maintain and demonstrate a high standard of personal ethics. Your
decisions should be a result of doing what’s right and not based on pressure
or greed.
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Define clear priorities. Petty details can derail us from our focus.
Your energy should support what’s most important.
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Demonstrate Courage. Be willing to take risks! With that goes your
willingness to take full responsibility for the outcomes of your decisions.
- Follow-through.
Leaders set the tone for the rest of the team. They need to follow through on
every promise and commitment--no matter how small or insignificant it may seem
at the time.
- Exhibit
Enthusiasm. Genuine enthusiasm is contagious and will help motivate the whole
team. If your vision for what you want to accomplish is focused and detailed,
your team will more easily understand and be able to catch your enthusiasm.
- Stay
Cool. Problems should generate solutions, not reactions. A leader who can
stay cool under pressure inspires confidence. This will empower others to do
the same.
- Be
Caring. The desire to help others succeed is the mark of a truly great
leader. Place the success of the project and the success of the entire team
above your personal interests. Be quick to show appreciation for everyone's
effort and contribution to the project. Positive feedback and appreciation are
excellent motivators.
Zig Ziglar once said, “People don't care how much you
know until they know how much you care about them." If you haven’t recently,
take a few minutes to let those around you; both at home and at work, know how
much you care. It’s amazing what appreciative words and actions generate.
