One thing neglected in leadership training is that leadership cannot be taken or imposed. It can only be given by those that would be led. I once heard “if you're leading but nobody is following, then you are just taking a walk”. You can be put in the position that should be occupied by a leader, but that’s just the first step. If your think you’re leading, turn around and look every now and then to see if anybody is following.
You need integrity to earn leadership. Integrity is made up of morality (not doing what is wrong) and character (doing what is right). To have people follow you, you must have the credibility that comes from integrity. That, however, is merely the foundation. Next, a true leader has to exhibit the traits and take the actions that are characteristic of leadership. Those traits are:
1) The courage to decide
2) The ability to prioritize
3) Not thrown off the scent of the critical path
4) The vision to see the goal
5) Can sense danger
6) The skill to be logical
7) The experience to know better
8) Less political, more substantive
9) The passion for "the important" and disdain for "the urgent"
10) Is articulate
11) Does not manage by email
12) Fair, but appropriately forceful
13) Might form hypothesis based on “gut feel”, but decides based on data
14) Understands that leadership is a series of hugs and kicks
15) Deals with people in a “mission first, people always” manner
16) Demonstrates the corollary to “mission first, people always” is “carry the wounded, replace the stragglers”
17) Can balance confidence and humility
There is risk from demonstrating these traits. Deciding and prioritizing can lead the team in the wrong direction. However, after proper consideration, it is necessary for the leader to prevent analysis paralysis that causes teams to stall while providing guidance in the direction that is aligned with the strategic plan and goals of the enterprise. Risk taking is mitigated by the application of integrity and the 17 traits and is inherent in the role of a leader.
You need integrity to earn leadership. Integrity is made up of morality (not doing what is wrong) and character (doing what is right). To have people follow you, you must have the credibility that comes from integrity. That, however, is merely the foundation. Next, a true leader has to exhibit the traits and take the actions that are characteristic of leadership. Those traits are:
1) The courage to decide
2) The ability to prioritize
3) Not thrown off the scent of the critical path
4) The vision to see the goal
5) Can sense danger
6) The skill to be logical
7) The experience to know better
8) Less political, more substantive
9) The passion for "the important" and disdain for "the urgent"
10) Is articulate
11) Does not manage by email
12) Fair, but appropriately forceful
13) Might form hypothesis based on “gut feel”, but decides based on data
14) Understands that leadership is a series of hugs and kicks
15) Deals with people in a “mission first, people always” manner
16) Demonstrates the corollary to “mission first, people always” is “carry the wounded, replace the stragglers”
17) Can balance confidence and humility
There is risk from demonstrating these traits. Deciding and prioritizing can lead the team in the wrong direction. However, after proper consideration, it is necessary for the leader to prevent analysis paralysis that causes teams to stall while providing guidance in the direction that is aligned with the strategic plan and goals of the enterprise. Risk taking is mitigated by the application of integrity and the 17 traits and is inherent in the role of a leader.
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