We are all leaders in some aspect of our lives. We are leaders in our businesses, we are leaders in our homes, we are leaders in our personal relationships and we are leaders in our community. What being a leader means to me is making people better by being in my presence.
Leadership doesn’t require a title. Leadership only requires that you have your head and your heart in the game for the betterment of others.
What are the key ingredients of a leader?
• Integrity – leaders have a moral compass that guides them
• Vision – leaders have the ability to see the endless opportunities that lie ahead of them
• Inspiration – leaders coach by encouraging, empowering, and giving affirmation to those around them
• Competence – leaders master the fundamentals, they have studied their craft and have the ability to get the job done
• Courage – leaders have the courage to accomplish their dreams, they are not afraid of failing, dusting themselves off and moving forward
• Perseverance – leaders anticipate roadblocks and potholes and they know how to hang in there
• Selflessness – leaders know that it’s not about what’s convenient, they are willing to make sacrifices. They make sure everyone else on the team gets the credit. They know it’s not about them
Your team needs 4 things from you as their leader:
1) You have to protect their vision. There are way too many distractions in today’s world. Helping a team member continue to see the vision of where they are going is critical.
2) You have to increase their confidence in themselves and the industry. This comes with daily encouragement.
3) You have to develop their competence and skills. Providing your team with the resources they need to develop the skill set necessary to grow in their industry.
4) You have to ground them in reality. Too many people expect too much on the front end and not enough on the back end. It takes time to lay the foundation to build a strong business. Expectations + Executions = Earnings. Frustration is the gap between what you are expecting and what you are experiencing. How do you close the gap? Expectations have to be in line with reality.
Your team will only grow as fast as you do. Find out what’s holding you back and address it.
And sometimes, you just have to be…………..a lone nut!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post Ellen. My past experience shows me that people, and I am talking about managers, think managing is being a leader and boy are they so wrong. People do not want to be managed, they want to be lead.
Thank you for your post. Your first item under the 4 things a team needs from a leader is critical. Great leaders must understand the visions of team members and find the way to make the individuals success in acheiving their vision part of the team’s overall success.
Love # 2 in the 4 ways!
Great post…I love it!! It takes a lot of guts to be the first follower!
Ellen,
I will forever remember the shirtless dancing guy when I think of you.
Great post.
Thanks
“We are all leaders in some aspect of our lives.” very true. If I added anything I’d say a leader “Listens” and can take constructive feedback. Good post, thanks!
Peace & Prosperity,
Dallas Cyr
.-= Dallas Cyr´s last blog ..It’s My Birthday =-.
‘`; that seems to be a great topic, i really love it *-: