How to Become an Ideal Leader

 I was appointed to a supervisory role when I was very young. With no training or advice I was thrown into the "deep end" to survive or not!

At work I used to get so frustrated when things  seemed not to be happening the way they’re supposed to. People didn't  follow the "Rules" and you would  see  people milling around and appearing to work but accomplishing nothing.

No-one had taught me about goals and targets but I knew at the end of the day we had not arrived where I thought we should have arrived.

If you have the same feeling then it is time you did something  about it.

My favorite auntie used to say that the best attribute to have, whether in your personal or business life, was to be a "self-starter". By that she meant that if you felt something should be done then don't wait until the Boss asked you to do it, just go ahead and do it!

Most people are content just to stand around listening for orders. And it isn't unusual to adopt a follow-the-leader mentality. They are great workers if you tell them show them what to do but are lost if left to themselves.

We need these people, of course, after all, we need followers if we are to be leaders, if you become a "self-starter" you will soon find you have become a leader.

When I was in a debating society one of the popular topics was "That Leaders Are Born Not Made". Good arguments can be made for both sides.  But it is my belief that it is the  propensity to lead with which you are born.

In the same way you are born with the propensity to write great music or run a sub-four minute mile. Without instruction, without practice, without a driving passion, without enthusiasm, and without experience, there will be no leader.

I read once that an aspiring business man asked a successful man what he thought his most valuable attribute was. After considering, the successful man said that it was the wisdom of always making the right decisions. "How did you get that wisdom?",  he was asked. "By making a lot of wrong decisions", was the reply.

To be a leader you must have followers. They must accept as their own you goals and objectives. They will do so voluntarily eager to follow you because it will fulfill their own aspirations and ambitions.

Leadership is never about power. The person who constantly harasses them and driving them along by putting the fear of God into them is not a leader. He is a boss and not a very good one.

People follow others when they see a clear sense of purpose. People will only follow you if they see that you know where you are going. In order for you to know where you are going you must have clearly defined goals.

If you work within an organization you must have a clear picture of how and what you want that organization will be, and where you and your team will fit within it.

If you are a entrepreneur you will "see" your future business and "see" the rewards that you and your team will receive. Part of your leadership skill will be to help your followers see it too.

Good leadership is based on the trust and confidence your subordinates have of you. If they trust you they will go through hell and high water for you and for the organization. That's loyalty and there can be no loyalty without trust. Lose that trust and beware!

The way you deal with your people, and the relationships you build will lay the foundation for the strength of your group. The stronger your relationship, the stronger their trust and confidence is in your capabilities.

Once you have their trust and confidence, you may now proceed to communicate the goals and objectives you are to undertake.

Communication is a very important key to good leadership. Without this you can not be a good leader. The knowledge and technical expertise you have must be clearly imparted to other people.

Good judgment comes with experience. Until you are going to have to rely on your reading and research of what has succeeded for others in the situation you now find yourself in. A Leader doesn't know everything and doesn't think he knows everything, but a good leader will know where he can find out.

Aggressively competitive people will find it difficult to be a good leader. because it is bad practice to rely on your own talents alone.

You should recognize and take advantage of the skills and talents your subordinates have. Only when you come to this realization will you be able to work as one cohesive unit.

Remember becoming  a good leader takes effort and time. it never comes overnight and it is never about you or the task at hand. It is about the team of which, though leader, you are only a part.

 

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