Leadership –
Leaders don’t whine and complain; they are not armchair quarterbacks. Leaders are doers. Leaders are problem solvers and guides and the ones who make things happen. Leaders see problems and might initially feel distressed, anxious, or in pain, but leaders don’t wallow in self-pity or grief. They take action. See the words to these songs: Do Something and Man in the Mirror.
Leaders don’t jump to conclusions. We are in a world where it can be really easy to get caught up in what we hear from all forms of media. True leaders do not get caught up in this trap. They listen, they research and learn, and then they form an opinion. Then leaders act or not, depending on the situation. Stay true to yourself!
Your beliefs control everything that you do. Accomplishment is more than a matter of working harder or smarter. It’s also a matter of believing positively. Beliefs determine your expectations, and your expectations determine your actions. How are your beliefs affecting your expectations?
Are your passion and priorities aligned? Make sure that what you do creates passion and that the priorities you set help fuel that passion.
How do you see problems? How do you react to those problems? It’s all about perspective. It just depends on your mindset. Do you have a problem-solving mindset, or do you let the issue overtake your thinking? Problems and “things” will happen. There is no getting past that. But learning how to deal with these, how to solve them, and letting these stretch your thinking is what sets leaders apart from others.
Are you an initiator? Are you one who is constantly looking for opportunities? Or are you one that waits for it to come to you? Do you take steps based on your instincts, or are you one who overanalyzes everything? The right decision is the wrong decision if you make it too late! Initiate and act. That is what a true leader does.
Are you a good starter and lack the skill to finish the job? If you are, then make an effort to improve your skills at completing the task you started. Don’t be one that does things part way. Finish what you started.
Leaders are connectors. When you see an opportunity where someone might help someone else, leaders make that introduction. Are you a connector? Do you introduce people to each other to allow them to meet and glean info from each other?
Leaders are constantly asking, “why do we do it this way” or “is this the best and most efficient way of doing this.” Leaders are constantly questioning and looking for better ways of doing things. Change, for change’s sake, is not a reason for doing things. Change should be accompanied with a real purpose.
Integrity is not what we do so much as who we are. And who we are, determines what we do. Let integrity determine who you are and what you do.
True leaders give of themselves and are Selfless. To truly become selfless, promote others rather than yourself, take a subordinate role, and give secretly where no one knows your intentions.
Does the company you keep truly add value to who you are personally and professionally? If not, you should be getting new friends and co-workers!
The father of modern management, Peter Drucker, said, “Leading people is like conducting an orchestra. There are many different players and instruments that the conductor must know thoroughly.” Do you know your players and instruments? Get to know them and do that well.
Have you ever made a mistake? Have you ever been defeated? We all have had “bad” things happen to us, and this will constantly occur throughout our life. When these things happened, what was your next course of action? I find learning from my mistakes, losses, and trying times are what make me stronger. This can only happen if you have the right attitude and beliefs. Be positive, stay strong, and I am constantly praying in all circumstances.
Do you see a problem in every circumstance or a solution in every challenge? Look at situations as a challenge with a solution to be gained!