To Be a Leader

Sometimes I think that there are few things in the workplace world worse than a bad leader.  These are the people who hold a position but have no idea, and many times could care less, what it means to lead.  Bad leaders hurt productive work, cause morale to slip and make coming to work a dreaded task.  Ten bad employees will do far less harm to your business as will one bad leader.

                The key is not to put that person in a position in the first place.  In the past, if you worked, and not necessarily hard, and stayed with a company long enough you would get a promotion.  That practice has proven repeatedly to be a failed one.  So, what is a company to do to find the right people to lead?  Here are a few simple things to put into practice in your hiring and promoting practices.

"Leadership is an action, not a position."

- Donald Mc Gannon

(1920-1984)

Broadcast Executive

#1.  Hire the Right People

                People, even business owners, tend to hire people we like.  Someone comes in for an interview and we have a great rapport, they are friendly and we just like them, so we give them a job.  Bad decision!  Have a job description with you, not for them, but one you can follow and use as a guideline.  If they are unable to perform the tasks you need to be done with excellence, then do not hire them.  It is better to hire an excellent worker you may not care for personally than a friend that will run your business into the ground.

#2.  Never Promote by Seniority

                When you are looking for the right person to promote to a leadership position, first, look for the leaders of your company.  Do not – EVER – promote someone just because they have been there for a long time.  Leaders lead, so look for the person that others are following.  Leaders work hard and step out in front of the crowd.  If you have a person, which could even be a brand-new employee, who others follow naturally and they do their job well and then more than is expected; that is the one to promote.

#3.  Let Your Leaders Lead

                If you must micro-manage your leaders, you do not have leaders.  When you find someone, who can lead, let them alone to lead.  If you have had bad leaders in the past you may have had to step in and do the work yourself just to get by.  By hiring a competent leader that problem can go away and you can do your job while they do theirs.

You can learn more about Personal Development from author and speaker, John Patrick Hickey.  To get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com. Be sure to sign up for the free membership and get even more tools to help you achieve your dreams.  

© 2019 John Patrick Hickey. No part of this may be reprinted or published without the permission of the author.