Although there are many different theories regarding the best approaches to effective leadership, nearly all agree, a true leader must be ready, willing, able, and up, to the various challenges and obstacles, which might be thrust in his way! It is rarely enough to merely do, as those before you have done, without making some sort of tweaks and/ or adjustments. Times change, and if an organization is to be sustainable, it must be able to continuously evolve, while maintaining (even if it also means tweaking, somewhat) the group's mission, and essential reason for being! This is, perhaps, the most essential reason, real leaders must understand, adapt, and properly utilize relevant TRENDS, while being careful to change only what needs changing, and not throwing the baby out with the bath water.
1. Timely: In my four decades of identifying, qualifying, training, developing, and consulting to thousands of actual and/ or potential leaders, I have come to the conclusion, the most dangerous trap, is opting for procrastination, when well - considered, timely action, is called for. Most often, what begins as a somewhat minor annoyance, obstacle, and/ or challenge, will tend to transform to an often - dangerous, threatening, problematic situation, unless addressed in a timely manner.
2. Relevant; reliable; reach out: Quite often, the most essential factor, is to seek to reach out, to those one serves, and do so, with an open - mind, rather than being rigid, etc! How can one be certain of being a reliable leader, until/ unless, he understands his options, seeks relevant opportunities, and takes advantage of those trends, which will help him tweak the way things are done or considered, without changing the mission, or those things which work well, and are relevant?
3. Empathetic: Since most organizations possess certain unique characteristics, etc, one must seek to use the niche approaches, which are most suitable for his specific organization. However, the danger, often is, a pseudo - leader assumes he knows it all, rather than engaging those he serves, in conversation, and is willing to effectively listen, and behave in a truly empathetic way!
4. Needs: Do you know, appreciate and consider, the needs, priorities and concerns of those you serve, and act accordingly, on a consistent basis? Merely doing something trendy, is not indicative of effective leadership, until/ unless it is considered in terms of what your specific group, and constituents need!
5. Delve deeply; deliver: Understanding trends, and identifying ones which relate to one's group, is an essential component, in the process of delving deeply into the options, etc, and becoming a greater leader! However, merely doing this, will become a mere exercise, until/ unless, a leader makes every effort to truly deliver!
6. Strengths; sustainable system: Selecting which trends are relevant, should be done, by considering which, help maintain and enhance strengths, while, also addressing weaknesses. After all, isn't one of the most important goals of a true leader, creating, developing and implementing, a sustainable system?
Many are most comfortable remaining within their comfort zones, and simply doing the same - old, same - old. These people are never real leaders, unless they expand that zone, and take advantage of the TRENDS which might make their group stronger, more relevant and sustainable!
Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, and Director of
Development, as well as a consultant. He has professionally run events,
consulted to thousands of leaders, and conducted personal development
seminars, for over 4 decades. Rich has written three books and thousands
of articles. His company, PLAN2LEAD, LLC has an informative website: http://plan2lead.net and LIKE the Facebook page for leadership planning: http://facebook.com/Plan2lead
