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What a Leader Should Consider.
One of the interesting parts of being a
college professor is, that you can obtain the most interesting and holistic
pictures of the examined topics, through the fairly straightforward process
of horizonalization, which is placing all answers from all participants on
one level and subsequently eliminating the redundant parts.
On my
question: “What, in your opinion, are the most important aspects for a leader
to consider?” my students recently came up with the following.
A good
leader should consider:
* His or her mission and vision. The
strength of a leader starts with having a clearly defined purpose in
life.
* His or her conviction and the most appropriate leadership
style, given this conviction.
* His or her communication skills,
because those will make it possible to orient followers closer to the goal or
dream.
* The present situation, the people who will follow the
vision, the leader-follower respect level, and the desired
result.
* Humility. An arrogant leader will not be followed for
long, because he or she will intimidate his or her followers, which will
interfere in the quality of mutual communication and sharing the conviction.
Once the followers turn away, the leader ceases to be a leader. On the other
hand, a leader who is humble enough to give followers credit for their
efforts will be honored and respected in return.
* Adaptability
to changing environments. Nothing guarantees a downfall better than a
stubborn, inflexible leader.
* People skills: Knowing how to deal
with followers from various backgrounds, and thus, with various
perceptions.
* A well-rounded personality: Being able to get along
with people and be sympathetic while, at the same time, being knowledgeable
and stable as well..
* Understanding: Although this ties into
adaptability and people skills, this factor still deserves separate
mentioning, as understanding pertains to much more than just working well
with followers. It encompasses the entire environment in which the leader
leads.
* The ability to motivate others: It is not always easy to
get a group of people at the same level. Different followers may have
different perceptions and different capacities, and therefore may need
different tactics to get things done.
* Ethics. Before leading
anyone the leader should make sure his or her intentions and values are in
the right place.
* Inspiration. This is closely related to
conviction, communication, and motivation. The leader should believe in him
or herself; be able to get the message across, and live it in order to get
the followers to do the same.
* Honesty. If a leader is caught lying
once, his or her integrity is lost, and therefore the trust of the
followers.
* Kindness: The leader should be accessible and friendly,
because these manifestations will encourage followers to open up and share
their suggestions and experiences, which may turn out to be valuable
resources to the leader.
* Charisma: Although maybe not the most
important asset for a leader to consider, charisma helps to get people moving
toward the goal at a steadier pace.
* Determination: Once the
goal is set, the leader should be confident and resolute in achieving it, in
spite of some hurdles that will undoubtedly surface.
*
Sensitivity. Showing empathy for others' needs, and giving support
and understanding without becoming overwhelmed by others' problems, make for
a strong leader.
* Responsible risk taking. This takes courage,
but should be applied anyway. A good leader should go for what he or she
believes in, even when the odds are against him or her. At the same time, the
leader should stay on the right side of the fine line between taking
calculated risks and indulging in foolish recklessness.
*
Decisiveness. Being able to make bold decisions when necessary can determine
the difference between mediocrity and greatness.
* A good heart. It
is the heart that drives every part of an individual. By having a heart the
leader shows character.
* Supportiveness to followers, and, as a
result to that: guidance in every possible form. Mentoring may be one of
them. Facilitating training to enhance followers’ skills is
another.
* The organization he or she is leading, and the goals of
this organization. If the goals of the organization are not aligned to the
values of the leader, he or she should consider leading somewhere
else.
* A hardworking and dedicated approach. Although this is known
more as a management skill than a leadership trait, it still does miracles
for the identification of followers with their leader.
* Respect
toward followers. If they feel appreciated and respected for their input,
followers will be encouraged to perform even better.
* Listening.
Followers often have very useful information to share. Besides, they
experience it as positive if their leader also lends an ear to their personal
issues.
* Caring: A leader who listens should also follow up by
attempting to improve the quality of his or her followers’
lives.
* Being positive and optimistic: this attitude will rub off
on followers, and they will make the seemingly impossible
possible.
* Being encouraging toward followers, even when they fail.
A good leader does not shy away from giving a reprimand, but does not dwell
on it too long either. He or she tries to catch people doing good things, and
mentions that to them as well!
* Being socially responsible, and
trying to do things right to set an example for followers. This may be the
point where the golden rule should be mentioned as an important leadership
consideration: “do unto others as you would want them to do unto you.” The
golden rule includes being cognizant
of their behaviors towards employees of
the company as well as customers and peers
* Having knowledge of
the followers and the situation, so that the leader can apply the right
leadership strategies.
* Being calm and collected, which radiates
trust to all stakeholders.
* Being patient, as this is the trait
that ultimately will deliver the rewards.
It is needless to say that
the list could continue inexhaustibly. However, the above provided points may
encourage you to add your own perspectives.
Feel free!
Joan
Marques, Ed.D.
Burbank, May 9,
2004
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About the
Author:
Joan Marques emigrated from Suriname, South America, to California,
U.S., in 1998. She holds a doctorate in Organizational Leadership, a Master’s
in
Business Administration, and is currently a university instructor
in Business and Management in Burbank, California. You may visit her web
sites at http://www.joanmarques.com
and
http://www.spiritcounts.com
Joan's
manual "Feel Good About Yourself," a six part series to get you over the
bumps in life and onto success, can be purchased and downloaded at:
http://www.non-books.com/FeelGoodSeries.html
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