Check out our new projector section click here. You will find reviews on the latest LCD projectors and DLP projectors for business presentations.
You
know for years we have held the majestic eagle as our sign of a good
leader. It soars so high above everyone else, has a beautiful wingspan,
eyes that can see it's prey from miles away and uncanny accuracy in
getting it's food. Definitely a leader. Definitely something we should
admire and look up to. Definitely the way we should be if we want to
lead, right? Wrong!
I think eagles are one of the worst animals we can model after as leaders.
You see, they don't play as a team. They build their nests in cliffs
where no one has access to them. They take care of their young only.
They do everything for their young and when they feel they are ready
they just push them out of the nest and say, "fly or die" Now I ask
you, is that a warm environment to work in?
We need a new way to look at leadership. You see, leadership is no longer
a position, it is a way of thinking. So whether you are a secretary,
a foreman, a sales person or an executive you all should be leaders.
You should feel you are the master of your work space every day . And
every day you should ask whether you would hire yourself tomorrow if
you were the owner.
In order to be a good leader there are several key traits you need to
exhibit. First you need to be a clear communicator. You need to have
a clear vision that you can share with others. Most companies I meet
with have a long mission statement that even the CEO can't remember.
A good mission statement should be one you can wrap your arms around
and use to judge whether you did a good job today. When Les Wexner,
Chairman of Limited designed Victoria's Secret his mission was "to design
a store where Cybill Shepherd would love to shop for lingerie". This
gave his people a clear vision of what to look for as they designed
the store. Bill Gates mission is to "put a computer on every desk".
This is something tangible that every person can see and can act in
accordance with. One telephone company I worked with switched their
mission statement to "your best friend's on the line." This way every
person could make sure their voice tone, and actions matched what they
would do for their best friend. Within 3 months their sales rocketed
to the highest they had every had.
Now, you might be saying, but wait that is the CEO's job to come up
with our mission statement. Not so. You should get together with the
other people in your department and decide what is the one key reason
you are all there. What is the one result you all want to see and then
come up with a mission statement that fits that goal and gives passion
to your team.
The second key ingredient in a leader is they are very "WE" focused.
They see themselves as supporting others and working towards a united
outcome. They are willing to take all blame and share all victories.
They don't worry about how to make their job easier, they worry about
doing what is right. If you are a true leader you will share information
you have with others. You will want to draw out the best in others.
Job descriptions become irrelevant. What is most important is what needs
to be done to get the result you desire. You will think outside the
box and work for solutions never thought of before. Finger pointing
doesn't happen with true leaders. They instead want to know how the
problem can be fixed. They want to know what caused it so people can
learn from it and not repeat it. They do not shame or embarrass others.
They are the first to point out good things that others do.
Good leaders lead as well as follow. They don't worry about how others
perceive them. They know that some of the best ideas can come from others
around them so they keep their ears open. They know that in order to
lead they need to continually learn so they see themselves as teachers
and students at the same time. They welcome new ideas and suggestions
from others.
"A leader is not someone you look up to because they are the best. A
true leader is someone that looks in to you and draws out your best."
Anne Warfield
And lastly, good leaders are willing to set guidelines. They know that
in order to do a good job people need to know what is expected of them.
They need to know the outcome they are working towards and they need
to know what flexibility they have with decisions. Good leaders will
share all that needs to be shared so people can achieve results. They
look to shatter paradigms and see things in a new way.
So ask yourself, do you lead or do you follow? Do you take risks at
your company or do you strictly follow policy? Are things going on at
your company that you think should change? If so, have you taken the
time to offer your ideas and suggestions? Do you take charge and work
as a team?
I would like to see a new mode of leaders. Not eagles, that can be loners.
From this day on think of yourself as a goose. You see, geese fly in
a V formation. And since the lead position is tiring, the lead goose
will fly to the back and new goose will take the front position. Because
their outcome has been clearly communicated they don't worry about flying
off course. If one goose gets hurt, then two geese fly down to take
care of the wounded goose. They never leave one goose out to struggle
on its own. Just imagine how your company would soar if it was full
of geese as leaders!
Printer Friendly Version
Click here for more articles by Anne Warfield.