Thoughts on Leadership

I had a great conversation this morning with a particularly engaging individual; it was exciting as well as compelling and I am very much looking forward to more conversations! During the course of our exchange, we shifted to a very pointed discussion regarding leadership and my thoughts about a good leader. Having spent the last 20 years or so in leadership positions and having been a coach for a majority of that time, I have quite a few opinions regarding the role of leadership in not only my professional life, but my personal life as well.

The conversation was so engaging, it inspired me for this post! So, without further adieu, some thoughts on leadership! Let me know if you agree or don't agree! I love the conversation and exchange of thoughts!

  • Inspire, Encourage & Empower - Leadership is not only about what YOU can DO - but what you can inspire in others. It is about mentoring as well as being mentored; it is the openness to encourage as well as empower those around you. This is not relegated to your team members, but across your entire organization. Leadership cannot be restricted to a silo.
  • Its not about the power - Abraham Lincoln said: "To test a man's character give him power." Ben Parker (comic book fans will get this) said "With great power comes great responsibility.".  Now I will be the first to admit that this particular quote originally came from Voltaire but the meaning is the same. Power must be used to empower, serve as well as develop the team or teams you are leading. Leadership is not about simply flexing your muscles; it is about helping others grow so that you may grow.
  • Remember the beginning - Sure, there are born leaders, but they all have to start somewhere. Great leaders remember where they came from. It helps them understand what others are going through. This improves communication, builds trust and solidifies relationships.
  • Rules don't make a leader - All the rules in the world will gain you nothing if you don't have the relationships to back them up. This applies to just about any situation. Without investing the time and effort into building relationships with your team, customers or other people, all your rules will do is force them to rebel. Leaders invest themselves with their team/people.
  • No one has all the answers - This is one of my favorite thoughts as I used to be the guy that THOUGHT had to have all of the answers. Great leaders acknowledge when they need help. They use the experience as a learning experience. No one has ever failed when they say: "I don't have an answer for you, but I will get one." This shows maturity and an utter respect for the person and situation you are dealing with. You care enough to get the proper answer.
  • Listen - Listening is a lost skills I think; great leaders are great listeners. There is nothing more frustrating to a team or individual than to feel they have not been heard. Listening is a skill, no doubt, but the benefits are astounding. The learning experience alone is worth it, but couple it with the bond of trust it builds and the sky is the limit! Listening is a skill required for just about any situation. Build that skill and you will be a strong leader!
  • It's a marathon, not a sprint - Great leaders understand that it is not about the destination but about the path. It is the process that is constantly evolving, constantly driving you forward. Great leaders realize this and they focus on the process. This encourages teamwork, relationships and growth; all byproducts of a great leader!

Being a leader is an awesome responsibility. It is a responsibility that must be earned every day and must never be taken for granted. While you may have one leader; it is the team that supports you and it is the team that strengthens you. Don't get me wrong, a great leader will do all that for his/her team as well; but that is the point, great leaders realize the synergistic nature of their position and they use it wisely!

 

 

Robert SiegerComment