subject: What Is Leadership? [print this page] What is Leadership? By Victor Rival What is Leadership? By Victor Rival
I've observed many successful leaders in many different organizations and I'm challenge to give an answer that is applicable to everyone definition of what is leadership? Wikipedia's definition is. Leadership is and has been described as the process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task .A definition more inclusive is "Leadership is ultimately about creating a way for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen." That is a broad definition, but one that i would agree with. A general in the army is a leader but usually leads because of his position, The unlisted do not have a choice they have to obey his orders. Gandhi is considered one of the greatest leaders historically and he led hundreds of thousands with influence.
A leader must fulfill these functions. A leader must provide for the well-being of the led, provide an environment in which people feel relatively secure, and provide a set of beliefs. How do leaders do this? Below is six great examples.
1. Visionary: A leader brings a vision to the group. Its a plan by which others can FOLLOW. This vision brings the followers the emotion of hope and something the followers can strive to achieve. The vision should be clear and the leader should stand up for what the leader believes in.
A leader is a dealer in hope Napoleon Bonaparte
2. Positive: Nobody wants to follow a person who is doom and gloom. A leader doesnt need to be all about rainbows and sunshine, but there definitely needs to be a boost of positivity especially when tackling a difficult project or the going gets tough.
A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. - Winston Churchill
3. Audacity: It takes guts to be a leader. Its not for everyone. Some people would prefer to tag along for the ride and thats fine. Not everyone can or should be a leader.
4. Empowering People: Inherently, people want to do a good job. They want to succeed and make others happy. As a leader, you need to allow people to succeed. By empowering people, the leader isnt doing the task for the person following the leader, but instead gives them the tools necessary to succeed.
5. Reliable: You dont want to follow someone that shows up late or doesnt do what they say they are going to do. In a leader, you want someone thats reliable, with a message that people can follow. If leaders arent consistent if their efforts and their actions, it causes followers to begin to doubt the dedication of the leader to the cause. I cant find a citation, but historian Doris Kearns Goodwin was recently on The Daily Show. She stated that during the Great Depression and during FDRs tenure a citizen once said something to the effect of I dont have any money, dont have a job, and I dont have a reason to live, but I keep on going because I know FDR is there.
Delegating work works, provided the one delegating works, too. Robert Half
6. Motivating: If you dont have the previous characteristics, it certainly isnt very motivating for the follower to follow the leader let alone do a great job. A leader needs a vision, otherwise people dont have a map and tend to get lost.
Ive put together a list of behaviors that differentiate between leaders and managers.
Managers administer; leaders innovate.
Managers ask how and when; leaders ask what and why.
Managers focus on systems; leaders focus on people.
Managers do things right; leaders do the right things.
Managers maintain; leaders develop.
Managers rely on control; leaders inspire trust.
Managers have short-term perspective; leaders have long-term perspective.
Managers accept the status-quo; leaders challenge the status-quo.
Managers have an eye on the bottom line; leaders have an eye on the horizon.
Managers imitate; leaders originate.
Managers emulate the classic good soldier; leaders are their own person.
Managers copy; leaders show originality.
What do you think about the 6 characteristics of leadership Ive given? Do you have any to add?
by: Victor Rival
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