True Leadership
True Leadership
The clearest way to determine the success or failure of a leader is to first determine if they meet the basic criteria. For far too long, leadership has been defined in part as someone who oversees or manages or leads in some capacity. The problem is that this type of leadership is more equivalent to a boss or supervisor and leadership has proven to be so much more.
Just about anyone can issue dictates, or oversee one’s performance as a boss or supervisor, but true leadership is where you earn the respect of those around you as well as inspire them to succeed. A leader can only win the hearts and admiration of those around them if they are able to be understood and are considered relatable. This is a high standard, but absolutely necessary if you are to be a true leader.
A true leader is able to lead people who are smarter, more efficient, and even more capable than they, if they are secure within themselves and respectful of the giftings in those you are called to lead. In fact, people will work harder, produce more and even respect you if you are personable and relatable.
Where many would-be leaders go wrong is in assuming that they are, for some reason, better, more capable, or smarter than those you are called to lead. This type of attitude only brings contention, division, and a wrong sense of competition which can only lead to the potential leader being disrespected.
People in general will follow you if you are confident, but not cocky, firm but always respectful of others and capable of admitting to a better idea or way of doing something than you may have determined. There is nothing more inspiring and uplifting than to show interest in others and their ideas. Ultimately, a leader makes the final decisions, but it’s the process of getting to that decision that will determine if those you are leading will get behind you and fully support you instead of longing for your failure so than can gloat.
A strong leader will make everyone on the team a part of the endgame. Once people feel as if they too have real input as to what and how things happen, it changes the dynamics of the relationship from one of adversarial to one of a true team, where everyone has a vital part and where we all share, whether we are successful or not.
But learning to be a leader is not something that comes naturally. Instead, we have a tendency, especially when we feel threatened, to revert back to a demanding boss instead of a leader, leading a team.
So, from my perspective, the foundation of good leader always must start at self! If you are not comfortable with yourself, secure in your knowledge of the given task and secure in your ability to create a cohesive environment, then anytime you are questioned, critiqued or examined, your emotions will rise-up and your insecurity will be exposed to the others and instead of gaining influence, you will lose ground.
I believe that true leaders have come to grips with their strengths and their weaknesses and are always willing to have their decisions be questioned or examined without feeling personally attacked. Afterall, it should really be about the job or task at hand, and having a successful outcome, and not about you or your feelings.
Leaders are not above the team, but an integral part of the team. And, for that reason, if the ones you are called to lead, do not see you as a part of the team, the only other way to see you is as a boss, and that works to undermine your ability to mentor and inspire.
Now, if you find yourself being emotionally affected by others, or if criticism or questions are threatening to you, then its important that you first seek professional advice to find the root of that insecurity. Defeating personal insecurity is paramount to being a successful leader that people will learn from and desire to follow.
The clearest way to determine the success or failure of a leader is to first determine if they meet the basic criteria. For far too long, leadership has been defined in part as someone who oversees or manages or leads in some capacity. The problem is that this type of leadership is more equivalent to a boss or supervisor and leadership has proven to be so much more.
Just about anyone can issue dictates, or oversee one’s performance as a boss or supervisor, but true leadership is where you earn the respect of those around you as well as inspire them to succeed. A leader can only win the hearts and admiration of those around them if they are able to be understood and are considered relatable. This is a high standard, but absolutely necessary if you are to be a true leader.
A true leader is able to lead people who are smarter, more efficient, and even more capable than they, if they are secure within themselves and respectful of the giftings in those you are called to lead. In fact, people will work harder, produce more and even respect you if you are personable and relatable.
Where many would-be leaders go wrong is in assuming that they are, for some reason, better, more capable, or smarter than those you are called to lead. This type of attitude only brings contention, division, and a wrong sense of competition which can only lead to the potential leader being disrespected.
People in general will follow you if you are confident, but not cocky, firm but always respectful of others and capable of admitting to a better idea or way of doing something than you may have determined. There is nothing more inspiring and uplifting than to show interest in others and their ideas. Ultimately, a leader makes the final decisions, but it’s the process of getting to that decision that will determine if those you are leading will get behind you and fully support you instead of longing for your failure so than can gloat.
A strong leader will make everyone on the team a part of the endgame. Once people feel as if they too have real input as to what and how things happen, it changes the dynamics of the relationship from one of adversarial to one of a true team, where everyone has a vital part and where we all share, whether we are successful or not.
But learning to be a leader is not something that comes naturally. Instead, we have a tendency, especially when we feel threatened, to revert back to a demanding boss instead of a leader, leading a team.
So, from my perspective, the foundation of good leader always must start at self! If you are not comfortable with yourself, secure in your knowledge of the given task and secure in your ability to create a cohesive environment, then anytime you are questioned, critiqued or examined, your emotions will rise-up and your insecurity will be exposed to the others and instead of gaining influence, you will lose ground.
I believe that true leaders have come to grips with their strengths and their weaknesses and are always willing to have their decisions be questioned or examined without feeling personally attacked. Afterall, it should really be about the job or task at hand, and having a successful outcome, and not about you or your feelings.
Leaders are not above the team, but an integral part of the team. And, for that reason, if the ones you are called to lead, do not see you as a part of the team, the only other way to see you is as a boss, and that works to undermine your ability to mentor and inspire.
Now, if you find yourself being emotionally affected by others, or if criticism or questions are threatening to you, then its important that you first seek professional advice to find the root of that insecurity. Defeating personal insecurity is paramount to being a successful leader that people will learn from and desire to follow.
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