11 Points for Effective Leadership

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:20:09 EST

This has got to be one of our most simple, yet difficult entries. Becausethe "How"is easy; it's the "DO" that is the real bear. Being an effectiveleader can be a tricky task to undertake but... Good leaders are made notborn. If you have the desire and willpower, you can become aneffective leader. Here are 11 points to help you on your journey to becoming aneffective leader.

1. "You are remembered for the rules you break." Just asGen. Douglas MacArthur said, by definition, leaders break rules (otherwise theywould be running with the pack). "Carefully" select which traditional rules tobreak (remember - you will be remembered by your choices). Just "because it'salways been done that way" makes a great qualifier for your short list of ideasof which rules to break.

2. Be proficient, AKA "know your stuff". You arrive at alevel of leadership because you have spent the time and energy to study, andhave solutions (or at least know where to find them). A natural leader is sobecause they solve people's challenges.

3. Bond and train as a team. Because people value safety,they often just learn what is expected of them in their jobs. Training as agroup creates real bonds among the team members and assists the single workerto see how what THEY do, relates and impacts others.

4. Keep the information flowing. Nature hates a void. Ifyou keep information away from your people, rumor will fill the void around theproverbial water cooler. This is a simple concept, and fear in leaders preventsdata from being free. Avoid this pitfall. Your people will gain trust andrespect for you as you share openly important information.

5. Praise publicly, criticize privately. The one thing ahuman wants that is more long lasting then money is to be recognized "in frontof their peers". This is why you see "employee of the month" parking. The spotis awarded in a company meeting. It gives ‘bragging rights' to the person, andcosts are nil. Applaud (acknowledge positively) every forward movement, nomatter how small. It can be as simple as saying, "Great Stuff", to a person,when the rest (at least most) of the team can hear it.

6. Take responsibility for your actions. If you don'texperience failure, you are not setting the goals of the mission high enough.When things go wrong, own the sub-optimal results and look for ways to fix thescenario you find you and your team in.

7. Set an example. Think about how a child wants to grow upto be like a parent. It isn't easy out performing others (staying up lategetting ‘IT' done). But, this is how inspiration is created. Be willing to gothe extra mile.

8. Focus on clear communications. The major failure herefor most leaders is recognizing it's a Two-Way street. Not you, handing outedicts. Ask people what they thought they heard you say. You will be surprisedat how a person's ‘filters' change what you thought you said.

9. Don't forget the payoff. At the end of the day, it isthe followers that determine if a leader is good, or not. Keep in mind that the‘win' is for the troops - not just you.

10. Create a culture and climate that encompasses ‘can do' andsafety. Remember Step 6 for you? Create a setting where it is OK toreach, and sometimes not make it. Same as Step 6, only this is for your folks.Make sure your people realize that it's OK to make mistakes as long as youlearn from them and find solutions.

11. Leadership development is self-development. In order tobe the most effective leader, don't forget to continue to develop yourself.It's easy to get so caught up taking care of running everyone else that youforget about yourself. Remember - if your ‘pitcher is empty', how can younourish anyone else!

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11 Points for Effective Leadership