FIVE PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD LEADER

Posted By: Mayor Timo

1. A good leader has an exemplary character.

It is of utmost importance that a leader is trustworthy to lead others. A leader needs to be trusted and be known to live their life with honestly and integrity. A good leader “walks the talk” and in doing so earns the right to have responsibility for others. True authority is born from respect for the good character and trustworthiness of the person who leads.

2. A good leader is enthusiastic about their work or cause and also about their role as leader.

People will respond more openly to a person of passion and dedication. Leaders need to be able to be a source of inspiration, and be a motivator towards the required action or cause. Although the responsibilities and roles of a leader may be different, the leader needs to be seen as part of the team working towards the goal. This kind of leader will not be afraid to roll up their sleeves and get dirty.

3. A good leader is confident.

In order to lead and set direction, a leader needs to appear confident as a person and in the leadership role. Such a person inspires confidence in others and draws out the trust and best efforts of the team to complete the task well. A leader who conveys confidence towards the proposed objective inspires the best effort from team members.

4. A good leader, as well as keeping the main goal in focus, is able to think analytically.

Not only does a good leader view a situation as a whole, but is able to break it down into sub parts for closer inspection. While keeping the goal in view, a good leader can break it down into manageable steps and make progress towards it.

5. A good leader is committed to excellence.

Second best does not lead to success. The good leader not only maintains high standards, but also is proactive in raising the bar in order to achieve excellence in all areas.

These five personal characteristics are foundational to good leadership. Some characteristics may be more naturally present in the personality of a leader.

However, each of these characteristics can also be developed and strengthened.

A good leader whether they naturally possess these qualities or not, will be diligent to consistently develop and strengthen them in their leadership role.

By Project RiseUp2010 with 1 comment

THE GREAT LEADERS METTLE

Posted By: TimoStevens, 2009


Great leaders know the need to unleash talent. They create a culture that releases the highest talents and contributions of their people.


People make their highest and best contributions when their leaders execute on the following 4 imperatives:


1. Align Systems; Great leaders build the organization's capability to consistently achieve its goals, attract and retain talent, improve work processes, and develop intense customer loyalty.


2. Unleash Talent; Great Leaders tap the full potential and contribution of each individual, respecting all the dimensions of the "whole person."


3. Inspire Trust; Great leaders create personal credibility and earn the legitimate trust of others.


4. Clarify Purpose; Great Leaders work efficiently with others to create a clear and compelling purpose that is focused on customer needs - strategically aligned and financially viable.


"Talented employees need great managers... how long that employee stays and how productive he is while he is there is determined by his relationship with his immediate supervisor," - Buckingham and Coffman (First, Break All the Rules)


Source: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Franklin Covey.

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10 TRAITS OF EFFECTIVE LEADERS

1. They are honest. This gives them credibility, resulting in the trust and confidence of their people. Credible leaders foster greater pride in the organization, a stronger spirit of cooperation and teamwork, and more feelings of ownership and personal responsibility.
2. They do what they say they will do. They keep their promises and follow through on their commitments.
3. They make sure their actions are consistent with the wishes of the people they lead. They have a clear idea of what others value and what they can do.
4. They believe in the inherent self worth of others.
5. They admit to their mistakes. They realize that attempting to hide a mistake is damaging and erodes credibility.
6. They create a trusting and open climate.
7. They help others to be successful and to feel empowered.
8. They don't push too much. They encourage members to do more, but know when it's too much.
9. They roll up their sleeves. They show the members they aren't just the figurehead or decision maker. Members respect leaders more when they show the willingness to work alongside them.
10. They avoid phrases that cause resentment, reluctance and resistance. For instance, instead of saying you have to do something, effective leaders request or recommend that members do something.

Source: Thomas Gordon, Effective Leadership

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25 STATEMENTS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE LEADERS

1. This is excellent work.


2. You’re a valuable member of this team.


3. Help me understand how you reached your conclusion. What are your underlying assumptions?


4. While I don’t yet agree with your position, I appreciate you offering a different perspective. Good food for thought.


5. I can see how you feel stuck between the policy and your sense of what the right thing to do is. Where do you think we should go from here?


6. Do you have the resources you need to complete this project?


7. Let me do a listening check. It sounds like you’re saying…


8. That must have taken some courage to tell me. Thanks.


9. I can’t give you my full attention right now, and that’s not fair to you. Let’s schedule a time that’s good for both of us.


10. How are things, generally speaking? How are you doing?


11. I’ve interrupted you. Please continue.


12. When we add that to your plate, what needs to come off?


13. Next time, what could you have done differently? What could I do differently?


14. Do you feel heard?


15. I’m pretty sure this will feel like an unreasonable request, and I wish I didn’t have to make it. Let’s talk about why I’m asking you to do this.


16. It’s a pleasure having you as a colleague.


17. You’ve been putting in a lot of long hours lately. What can we do to restore a sense of life balance?


18. It’s clear you’ve given this a lot of thought.


19. That’s a terrific insight. I’m moving my stake.


20. It feels good knowing I can rely on you.


21. What’s the lesson we should take from this experience?


22. What part of this do you think I should be held accountable, and what part do you think belongs to you?


23. I know you didn’t agree with this decision, and I’m grateful that you gave it your full support after it was made.


24. What priorities are you struggling with right now, and how can I help?


25. I’ve got some ideas on how you might proceed, and I want to hear yours as well.


What these comments tend to have in common is:


  * They convey the experience of being heard
  * They demonstrate authentic caring
  * They acknowledge that the leader doesn’t always know everything.
  * They reveal a leader who believes his or her staff is comprised of real people, who are actual grown ups.


What would you add to the list?




Source: GaryWinters.com

By Project RiseUp2010 with 1 comment

LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM GEESE

Fact 1: As each goose flaps its wings it creates an “uplift” for the birds that follow. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.


Fact 2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.


Fact 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other’s skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.


Fact 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.


Fact 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.


Source: GEORGE AMBLER, The Practice of Leadership

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6 Cs OF INSECURITY

The following symptoms usually indicate feelings of insecurities;

1. Comparison - We compare ourselves with others and keep score.
2. Compensation - We feel like a victim and must compensate for our losses.
3. Competition - We become self-consumed and try to outdo others for attention.
4. Compulsion - We feel driven to perform in order to gain other's approval.
5. Condemnation - We judge others or ourselves, resulting in self-pity or conceit.
6. Control - We feel we must take charge, protect our interests, and manipulate.

Source: The Maxwell Leadership Bible, John C. Maxwell

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THE VALUE OF VISION

Vision unites,
Vision provides a center for leadership,
Vision dominates inner conversation,
Vision inspires greatness,
Vision attracts others to the leader.

"Your vision may be the purest and simplest but, if you haven't got the technique to express it, your vision will not be communicated. It's when the technique becomes a end in itself that it becomes reprehensible." - Denis Quilley, in Judith Cook (1976:9)


Source: The Maxwell Leadership Bible, John C. Maxwell

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CHANGE BEGINS INSIDE

A leader knows that change begins inside. He/She intuitively knows what needs to be done in order to impact the people. A leader knows change begins with the heart, and that transformation happens from the inside out.


To enhance your own leadership abilities, practice the following activities;

• Work in the areas of your strength;- We are most intuitive in the areas of our gifts and interests.
• Explore the opportunities in front of you;- Our intuition comes most alive when we size up the options near us.
• Discern root causes for the issues you face;- Work to get past superficial answers and solve root issues.
• Analyze past successes;- Study your victories and see if you find a pattern that reveals how you won them.
• Listen to you gut;- Effective leaders lead from their goal. But your heart and head have answers. 

Source: The Maxwell Leadership Bible, John C. Maxwell

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VISION: THE BLUEPRINT FOR BUILDING A BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE

Leaders and vision go together like fire and heat; you can't separate them without destroying their essence. A vision...

1. Should be written down,
2. Should be shared amongst the people,
3. Should be acted on,
4. Is for a particular event in the future,
5. Should motivates us toward the goal,
6. Should not be discarded,
7. Will not fail.

N/B: "The difference between leaders and followers is perspective! When leaders are willing to confront difficult issues, they win the respect of others!"


Source: The Maxwell Leadership Bible, John C. Maxwell

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LISTEN... LISTEN... LISTEN...

Leaders must first and foremost be listeners. When they listen, they gain something more precious than the privilege to speak:


a) They gain insight about people, 
b) They connect with the speaker
c) They earn their right to speak
d) They become relevant 
e) They understand the keys to the speakers' heart
f) They identify
g) They gain authority
h) They learn


PS: When you speak, nothing you say will teach you anything. Only when you listen, will you gain understanding! 


Source: The Maxwell Leadership Bible, John C. Maxwell

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7 PORTRAITS OF A LEADER

1. A Teacher; a leader is to be reproductive


2. A Soldier; a leader is to be loyal


3. An Athlete; a leader is to be disciplined


4. A Farmer; a leader is to be a hard worker


5. A Worker; a leader is to be diligent


6. A Vessel; a leader is to be pure


7. A Servant; a leader is to be submissive


Source: John Maxwell, Maxwell Leadership Bible

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SIX PROVEN LEADERSHIP LESSONS

By: Mayor Timo

Leadership is challenging. Part of the challenge is that leading well is not just something we do, but it is something we cultivate in others. To do so well means growing personally in how we lead and developing leadership in others.

Endure

Leadership is a great privilege and calling. God has called you to your position. With it comes great joy and responsibility. The challenges of any position are real and about much more than just the job. It comes with headaches, personal cost and sacrifices. Yet those difficulties are worth suffering to serve the Kingdom.

Invest

Leadership means investing in others for the work that is to be done. Look at your ministry and ask yourself in whom you are investing. Investment means much more than just developing a leadership team. You know Jesus had the many, the 12 and the inner circle of three.

Empower

Leaders don't own, they empower. Good leaders know the work of ministry is not their own but that of Jesus Christ. Leaders are called to steward the ministry and the people within it. Leadership is not about keeping power but about giving it away to others. More than delegating the work load, leaders who empower others willingly share the authority and responsibility, trusting others to do great things for the Kingdom and doing all they can to equip them to do so.

Applaud

When you hear of the success of others, do you feel jealous, or can you take joy in the success of others for the sake of the Kingdom? Secure leaders rejoice in the success of other leaders. In your own ministry, recruit and empower those more talented than you—and then celebrate the work they do. Honor other leaders.

Assess

Leaders should evaluate their own work and the work of others in ministry. This is very important and requires the honest assessment of yourself and others. Many leadership books can provide guidelines for ministry assessment, questions to ask and systems to use.

Fellowship

Leadership requires community. Find a group with whom you can meet, share, pray and rejoice. Finding a group of leaders—often separate from your own ministry—with whom you can honestly share and pray is a great gift and one worth pursuing.

By Landscape Media Ventures (LMV) with No comments