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Leading From Within.

Much like the lighthouse that provides guidance and direction for sea-bearing vessels, leaders must become the beacon of light in their own lives before they can effectively lead others.

As we have come to learn, true leadership is not about a title or a position in an organization. Nor is it about a person's genetic make-up, level of education or socio-economic status. Leadership is a way of being. Effective leaders are those who lead by a set of core values that reflect who they want to be in the world as well as the contribution that they want to make. These leaders show up in all endeavors as the same person guided by the same principles. They lead with integrity, passion and an unresolved commitment to making a difference in the lives of those they touch. This to me is truly leading from within. As author Kevin Cashman says in his book, Leadership From The Inside Out, "Who we are says as much about us as a leader as the act of leading itself."

The following steps are critical in leading from within:

1. Define It!
Leaders need to first identify their core values, purpose and personal leadership visions. These three components together form the road map which guide and direct leaders on a daily basis and in all facets of their lives. Once identified, leaders can then transform these foundational principles into their values, purpose and leadership visions at work.

2. Get Behind It!
The next step involves creating accountability and support around these important principles. To do this, it is critical for leaders to share their values, purpose and visions with those around them, whether at work or at home. By enrolling people in this process, leaders are able to not only create a support system for themselves, but also create a feedback loop that empowers people to let them know when they have gotten away from their visions.

3. Exemplify It!
It is vitally important for leaders' everyday actions to be in alignment with their values, purpose and personal leadership vision. Being inconsistent or "ho hum" about their vision will very quickly sabotage any previous efforts made towards self-improvement. Inconsistency can also breed distrust, both internally and externally. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance for leaders to consistently show up as the person they have declared themselves to be.

4. Learn From It!
Leadership development is an ongoing process that involves a continuous improvement plan. Continuous improvement could involve seeking out feedback on a regular basis or taking skill-based classes and workshops. Leaders need to revisit their personal leadership vision bi-annually and make any necessary revisions. The point is that continuous improvement is a never-ending component of personal leadership. Remember, when leaders stop learning, they also stop growing.

5. Refine It!
Finally, leaders must hold themselves accountable. Since actions speak louder than words, it is essential for leaders to continually assess and reassess how they are showing up in the world to make sure they are in alignment with who they say they are.

Love and leadership

“I would far rather have a business led by love than by fear”. – Herb Kelleher, Southwest Airlines

“…Whether it is better to be loved or feared? The answer is that one would like to be both; but because it is difficult to combine them, it is far better to be feared than loved.” – Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince

“It might sound slightly bizarre,” says Ken Blanchard, co-author of The One Minute Manager, “but one of the key beliefs for effective leadership is to be madly in love with all the people you are leading.” Well, you are right Ken. It does sound slightly bizarre. For many managers, leadership is the love that dare not speak its name.

Having said that, a surprising number of hard-nosed leaders are unafraid to talk about love as being fundamental to leadership. Rudy Giuliani, the former Mayor of New York, tells us there are three keys to leadership:

1. If you are going to lead, be optimistic. If you're not, you're followers can hardly be expected to be.
2. If you don't love people, do something else.
3. Be absolutely clear what you stand for. (1)

Love is…

A definition would help ease any discomfort you might be feeling. Tim Collins, a career soldier, rose to prominence when an impromptu speech he gave to the Irish regiment he commanded in Iraq ended up in newspapers all over the world. Collins says, like Kelleher, Giuliani and Blanchard, that “to lead effectively, you have to love people”. Collins goes on to explain ‘love’ as knowing and caring about what motivates people and what is important to them, and helping them fulfill those aspirations at work. This, he says, is a foundation of leadership. (2)

Fear constrains behavior. Love liberates it. So, if all you need is compliance, fear will probably do. But fear freezes initiative, stifles creativity, and provides no incentive to stretch and grow. Love is about wanting and allowing people to be at their best, and engaging with them to help them achieve that. “Love is the selfless promotion of the growth of the other,” is Milton Mayeroff’s definition. (3)

Sharing knowledge, looking after employees’ wellbeing, giving people your time and attention, respecting and acknowledging the contribution of others, all are incontrovertible aspects of good leadership. It only becomes controversial when the ‘L’ word is applied.

Jim Clemmer, a Canadian leadership thinker I admire, gets to the heart of the matter with this insight: "Leadership is emotional. Leadership deals with feelings. Leadership is made up of dreams, inspiration, excitement, desire, pride, care, passion, and love. The areas of our lives where we show the strongest leadership - including our communities, families, organizations, products, services, hobbies, and customers - are where we're most in love." (4)

I think even the most emotionally reserved leader can, at a push, understand the definition of love put forward by Colonel Collins, above. But, being ‘in love’ or even ‘madly in love’ as Clemmer and Blanchard put it, is still a step too far for many managers.

If you include yourself among those who find ‘love’ a hard word to link with ‘leadership’, because ‘love’ is personal, soft, emotional and gets in the way of hard-nosed high performance, then remember this: Herb Kelleher’s Southwest Airlines, the company he declared from the start to be ‘led by love’, whose headquarters is called ‘Love Airfield’ and whose stock market listing is ‘Luv’ is the most profitable airline in US commercial aviation history and its stock market valuation is higher than that of every other US airline put together.

USEFUL CONCEPT: Transformational vs Transactional Leadership: “I ask people all the time, ‘Would you rather be magnificent or ordinary at work?’ Everyone chooses magnificent. I don't get anyone choosing ordinary. And yet, do we regularly get magnificent behavior at work? No we don’t. I think that's because of the way we treat people.’” In that quote, Ken Blanchard is explaining how a transformational leader works, and that requires love. If you are purely a transactional leader – negotiating performance in return for a material reward – love is not necessary, some would argue. Equally, however, ordinary people are unlikely to be inspired to extraordinary performance levels by transactional leadership alone

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Appreciating the Importance of Leadership

Why is Leadership so Important?

Understanding the importance of leadership is the key to your business success.

Leadership has so much influence in our lives because so often it determines whether we enjoy a particular experience.

A leader is anyone who inspires and influences people to accomplish organizational goals; they motivate others to pursue actions, focus thinking, and shape decisions for the greater good of the organization.

Since we spend the majority of our day participating in some event influenced by a coach, teacher, or other leader, the person in charge has a significant impact on the experience.

Consider any new activity or recall youth sports. The ability of the coach (leader) to inspire and motivate influences our interest and desire to stay involved.

When leaders are passionate and influence us in a positive way, we get excited and want to continue our involvement.

How important is leadership to you? Life is short -- why participate in an activity if we don't enjoy it, and if we participate, why not do so with all of our energy?

Leadership is about communicating and building teams so that everyone works together. The importance of leadership is a key ingredient to successful businesses and championship teams. Teams that have this synergy tend to be the ones on top.

Can you learn to lead?

The short answer is yes. It is hard work, but much easier if you are willing to set aside your ego, serve others, and strive to make your organization a better place than when you arrived.

Find a good example; a coach, a teacher, or someone who made an impression on you as an effective great leader. Read everything you can about successful leaders with these key areas in mind and consider the following questions:

Leader

A leader is someone you trust and is knowledgeable, but not all knowing; speaks with purpose, but listens well; sets the example and lives the corporate values everyone is expected to follow.

Why do some people attract followers and others do not?

Can you learn to attract followers?

Teamwork

Teamwork establishes an environment that allows everyone to feel that they can be a part of something greater.

What is the importance of teamwork in your business?

Do you feel you are in an environment where you will be able to learn and grow?

Communication

Communication is about creating new or better awareness; achieving a common understanding.

What is the importance of communication in your business?

Does your team share the same values and support a common vision?

Leadership is a continual journey. When you understand the importance of leadership, you seek ways to improve and build teams who communicate well.

If You Want a Team of Leaders You Must Become One First

John Maxwell, a top author on leadership, wrote "The number one motivational principle in the world is: people do what people see." So if you want a team of leaders you must first become one yourself.

Many people believe that leaders are not made they are born. While it's true that some people seem to be born with leadership traits, it's more common for leadership skills and abilities to be developed. Research Abraham Lincoln's career and you'll find a great example of that.

But where do you start? Great leaders are generally great communicators. This doesn't necessarily mean that they are great orators though. To be a good communicator you must first be a good listener.

There is not one person who does not appreciate a leader who will take the time to listen to what they have to sy. It's very motivational when someone gives you that respect and that respect is usually reciprocated. Great leadership starts here.

Great leaders take responsibility and hold others accountable. Any kind of team thrives when they know the "buck stops at the leader" and that the leader will insist the team members meet the set standards.

The best way to develop future leaders is to hold them accountable for their actions and to not accept any less than what's expected. Of course as the leader you have to hold yourself to the same expectations. For example, it's hard to expect others to be on time for meetings if you're not.

The best leaders get people involved in what is going on and then empower them to play a role in problem solving and becoming successful. When you show confidence in your team by seeking their contribution you build a sense of pride that enables you to reach the shared goals quicker.

In the book The One Minute Manager, the number one motivator of people is "Feedback on results. It's what keeps us going." Great leaders understand this and make sure that the team is always aware of where they stand.

When goals are set, a plan that includes a time frame to achieve it is put in place. When you give your team consistent updates on how they're doing you're giving the necessary information to keep them on target.

It wouldn't be fair to notify an employee at the end of the year that he didn't receive his bonus if he was never given any progress reports long the way. Great leaders communicate and give their team members opportunities for success.

They also give them opportunities to fail. Leaders understand the importance of that. This is how we learn best. They're there to help pick them and dust them off, too.

The True Meaning Of Leadership

What does leadership mean to you? Leadership is more than some fancy title. It has little to do with who you are. A leader stands out from the crowd and shines in all they do, from the way the person talks, looks and acts. A great leader lives with integrity; they are congruent in words and in actions, honest, trustworthy, authentic and compassionate. If you want to be a leader others wish to follow, you have to become the leader that you would follow. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind to develop and become the leader others want to follow.

A Leader knows it's about the people and not about themselves. Lead from the front. It's important to focus on the people you sponsor and what they desire. Learn to do less telling what to do, and start asking more questions to learn more about them. You can learn a lot about a person by asking questions. Do more listening than talking, to really find the problems, so you can find solutions for the problems, and give solid advice.

A leader inspires trust and action. One of the best things about being a leader is the privilege to share goals and dreams with members on your team. You can lead others with your words and actions, and earn your members trust, and inspire them to build their business and develop their skills. Your own actions inspire your members to believe in themselves and accelerate.

A leader is also out in the trenches doing it every day. When your people see you out actually doing what you're advising them to do, they will then have more respect and trust in what you have to say. Lead by example, people believe what they see, not what they hear.

A leader offers the team hope and inspiration. Decide today to be the leader that offers a positive experience, and make a great difference in someone's life. When you do, you will also see a change in your own life. Start today to give hope to those who have no faith, offer encouragement to those who are afraid, inspire others by helping them discover their talents.

A leader helps the team plan for success. It is impossible to know what direction to take, and how to know when you have reached your goals without a plan. A map to see which direction and steps to take is essential to success. You have to decide where you are now in your life, and where you want to be. This is what leaders do for their team. Help them map out a plan for action. Leaders teach the team goal setting techniques, and how to develop a strategic plan for daily, weekly, monthly, and annual plans of action to help the team reach goals faster.

You will reap the financial rewards, and see the profound effect you have that empowers those around you; when you are a leader who strives to help members be the best they can be. You will see your team blossom and shine, and become a true leader others will follow.

The Power of Service.

When you think of the word “serve”, what comes to mind? Do you think of a waitress, butler or some other form of pleasing others? Do you think of leaders? If not, you should. The truth is responsible leaders are servants. “Servants to whom?” you may ask. Servants to your team, that’s who and to take it a step further; your organization.

The real question is not to whom, but how. How can you lead responsibly and still serve your team (as if leading is not hard enough)? In order for you to be a responsible leader, you have to recognize that there are 2 key tasks you must fulfill.

The vision and the execution.

It is your responsibility to communicate what the organization stands for and wants to accomplish. Just as kids look to their parents and players look to their coaches, people are looking to you (their leader) for guidance and vision. In this role of a visionary, you are behaving like a responsible leader.

Now that they know where they are going, people will now look to you (the leader) to fulfill the second task of responsible leadership. The Execution! How will you get the team to the finish line? I’ll tell you how. You will become a bridge builder. As a responsible leader you will try to find out what makes people perform well and bridge the gap between their performance and your vision. That’s when you begin to make positive impacts on the lives of those around you. When you make an impact on your team, you are making an impact on the entire organization as well.

So you see; it’s not that bad. As responsible leaders you understand that the only way to truly have an impact on any organization is to serve the people in that organization. You know that it is your responsibility to leave the organization better off than before you arrived on the scene. You are there to service your team and to build bridges.

The type of bridge you will build is totally up to you.