Leadership Part Three
Leadership Found: Finding a Real Leader
“Taking initiative does not mean being pushy, obnoxious, or aggressive. It does mean recognizing your responsibility to make things happen.” – Stephen Covey
Despite what many will tell you are their independent spirit, we all look for leadership in life. That spirit of independence is not a desire to be left alone, but a desire not to be controlled. No one enjoys being under a dictator. That is why history shows that most ended up dead, and not by natural causes. But good leadership is not about control or power. It is about leading, and if you can find someone one who understands and performs that, it is a great thing.
Pete Senge, author of The Fifth Discipline describes a leader this way, “It’s all about helping people make sense of what’s going on around them and making people feel that complicated and challenging things can actually be done.” A true leader conveys a sense of competence and ability to people. You feel that the vision is clear and you now know the direction to go in. It is the true leader who brings out of the individual the knowledge that he/she can contribute to the goals and the sense of team, all working together for the same goal, all at the same time.
There are four qualities of a true leader that I would like to focus on. These qualities are universal in that they apply to any area of leadership. It does not matter if you are a leader in business, church, community groups or in the home. If a leader can develop and communicate these qualities, people will follow. And they will follow because they wish to, not because they have to.
“Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion.” – Jack Welch
A True Leader Looks Ahead.
When I talk of a leader having vision I am speaking more than just knowing the goal to reach. A true leader looks ahead and sees how they will reach it. That means seeing the opportunities ahead as well as any possible road blocks. A true leader is prepared for whatever comes in the way of challenges and victories.
Dr. John Maxwell in his book Developing the Leader Within You, talks of the difference between a person with vision and a visionary person. There is a big difference you know. He explains it this way:
· A person with a vision talks little and does much.
· A visionary person does little but talks much.
· A person with a vision finds strength from inner conditions.
· A visionary person finds strength from outward conditions.
· A person with a vision continues when problems arise.
· A visionary person quits when the road becomes difficult.
“Vision is at the very core of leadership. Take vision away from a leader and you cut out his or her heart. Vision is the fuel that leaders run on. It’s the energy that creates action. It’s the fire that ignites the passion of followers. It’s the clear call that sustains focused effort year after year, decade after decade, as people offer consistent and sacrificial service to God.” -- Bill Hybels
A True Leader Cares for People.
Put simply, a true leader cares more about others than they do themselves. They care more about others than they do their position or the power they hold. A true leader does not have to demand respect or following. People excitedly follow because they know the leader is looking out for them. As Dr. John Maxwell says, “People will not care about how much you know, till they know how much you care.”
True leaders are always working at bringing out the best in others. They do not find the success of others as a threat to them, but as an encouragement. When those who they are called to lead do well and even pass them up, a true leader is the loudest one cheering them on. A true leader makes you believe you can succeed, that you are able to achieve no matter what the goal. As Henry Ford said, “My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.” A true leader is your best friend.
“Good leadership consists of showing average people how to do the work of superior people.” -- John D. Rockefeller
A True Leader Sets an Example.
The key element of a true leader is the ability to show others how to live and achieve, not to tell them. The most important things true leader will do in the life of followers will never involve words or direct instruction. People watch how their leaders live, behave, their habits and their ability to handle challenges. Why do you think so many people can pick out the flaws in leadership? It is because they are watching.
A true leader is always aware of themselves and how they are behaving and the example they set. In public or privet, they know that they will be held accountable for their actions. This is not because the world they live in is treating them unfairly or that people expect too much. It is just the responsibility of the leader to show the way. General Robert E. Lee said, “Duty is the sublimest word in the language. You can never do more than your duty. You should never wish to do less.”
I know that no one is perfect and we should not expect them to be. People, even the best of them, will let you down from time to time, but that is never a reason for compromise. A true leader will do their best to be responsible at all times. People are quick to forgive a mistake when they can see the heart of the leader. Dishonesty and excuses they will not tolerate. True leaders understand and welcome concepts like integrity, wholesomeness and devotion. They are loyal, brave, and kind. It is who they are, plain and simple.
“To be trusted is a better compliment than to be loved.” – George MacDonald
A True Leader Brings the Team Along.
One of the great things about a true leader is their ability to succeed as a team, not as an individual. True leaders look for the strengths in each of the people on the team and they develop and use each person in their strengths. They will also see the weaknesses of the members of the team, but a true leader is able to manage those weaknesses while building on the strengths.
When people are allowed to work out of their strengths they feel more confident, better able to solve problems and get a true sense of satisfaction. True leaders know this and they help the team to develop it. It is their care for each member of the team that allows them to see clearly what those strengths are. Their vision is not clouded by self interest and person preference.
True leaders know that one person cannot, and never has, succeeded on their own. Success comes through many. They are also quick to give the team the credit for the successes they have and take on the failures themselves. A leader who shows this kind of concern and care for the team will find followers who would follow them to the death if needs be.
True leaders may seem hard to find, but they really are not. You have people of that quality around you all the time. Some are not even in the “leader’s” position, but are just part of the team. Just as true leaders are on the lookout for good followers, so followers should always be looking for good leaders. Robert Half said, “There is something that is much more scarce, something rarer than ability. It is the ability to recognize ability.”
There is nothing better than to be able to follow a true leader. They will bring out the best in you and give you the satisfaction of knowing you can succeed. If you are a true leader yourself, you will be placed in that position by others, you will not have to take it for yourself. Your responsibility is to be ready and all times to lead, even when you are following. No one can lead well who has not followed well.
“It makes a big step in your development when you come to realize that other people can help you do a better job than you can do alone.” – Andrew Lornegie
© Jack Hickey 2010
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