Characteristics of Good Leaders

Whether you are a manager, team lead, or a chairperson, you are probably leading a group of people. But, just holding the position of authority does not automatically make you a good leader. A "boss" is someone who gives instructions, mets out discipline and provides rewards when they are warranted. A good leader, on the other hand, uses personal characteristics and skills to help inspire people to achieve great things. One of the biggest differences is that people want to follow a good leader; but they have to follow the bosses orders.

If you take any time at all to study the characteristics of great leaders you will find some common threads on the characteristics they possess. Good leaders:

• Are accountable
• Are trustworthy
• Help to establish vision, values and beliefs for all those they lead
• Set goals and work to create a positive, empowering environment
• Always give recognition for jobs well-done or innovative thinking
• Build "buy-in" in those they lead so that they see what's in it for them
• Are always strong communicators
• Truly care about people and their personal goals
• Help those they lead to blend their personal goals with that of the organization
• Are driven by discipline and habit
• Are always responsible for their actions and that of those they lead
• Offer training and assistance to help people meet their goals
• Provide opportunities for others to take on leadership roles
• Are knowledgeable of the business, but not necessarily an expert

As you review this list you can do a self-check to see where you need to plan for further development of your own leadership skills and characteristics. As you begin your own personal journey into leadership development you will find that it is a lifelong process that can be very rewarding and even fun!

Source: http://LeadershipSecrets.blogspot.com

Copyright M. A. Webb, 2004-2006. All Rights Reserved

PUBLISHING AND REPRINT RIGHTS: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. The author would appreciate an email indicating you wish to post this article to a website, and the link to where it is posted.

Effective Questioning

"Enlightened" leaders will use effective questions as part of their routine communications with their employees or teams. The purpose of asking effective questions is not only so that the leader can hear the answers, but also that the persons asked can hear their own answers and, thereby, gain some clarify for themselves or begin to adopt or internalize something that they have only grasped intellectually before speaking about it.

Answers that are most effective for people are those that they give themselves. When people are told the answers to questions they may understand the answer intellectually, but they will still need to internalize and understand, or gain clarity, themselves. This is why so many employees are "on board" with the organization's they serve - they have not yet been able to gain clarity or to adopt, or internalize, the issues at hand. As human beings, we have a natural resistance to someone else's answers or ways of doing things, no matter how good or logical they may be. Adopting a leader's way of doing things, thought processes, or the organizational goal and objectives happens much faster when the employee can assimilate and provide the answers on their own.

Finding clarity in our own explanations is empowering and energizing because we see that we have the ability to find solutions on our own. By asking effective questions leaders can generate insights rather than waiting for those rare occasions when they may occur spontaneously. Effective questions are a tool for managing clarity and enhancing creativity as well as empowering those that you lead.

Source: http://LeadershipSecrets.blogspot.com

Copyright M. A. Webb, 2004-2006. All Rights Reserved.

PUBLISHING AND REPRINT RIGHTS: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. The author would appreciate an email indicating you wish to post this article to a website, and the link to where it is posted.

Leaders, Egos and Serving with Love

"In this world we were born not to do great things,

but rather to do little things with great love."

- Mother Theresa

"We are so distracted by our egos that we lose sight of the really important things in this world. This is especially hard for those thinking of themselves as “leaders”. Let go of that “ego” for a while, and forget about being a “leader”. Rather look at an opportunity each day to do something small, for someone else, with no strings attached, that be-speaks the challenge to measure up to doing something with great love. It doesn’t have to be grandiose, nor something that draws attention. The core idea here is to give that deep source of love in yourself a chance to come out – to make a vital connection and difference. Great leaders such as Mother Theresa, walk a humble pathway, and are more concerned with giving than receiving. Try to right the balance this week by reversing your own trends and enjoy the difference. And observe the reaction of others for whom you are making that difference." (from Dr. John P. Keenan, author and creator of Leadership International.)

Copyright M. A. Webb, 2006. All Rights Reserved

Source: http://LeadershipSecrets.blogspot.com

PUBLISHING AND REPRINT RIGHTS: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. The author would appreciate an email indicating you wish to post this article to a website, and the link to where it is posted.