A true leader
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1. The document describes the attributes of an effective leader the author once worked for over 10 years. 2. Key attributes included driving the workforce to unprecedented levels of success, understanding employees' struggles to rise up in the company, rewarding teams for their successes even with budget constraints, leading with strong ethics and values, recognizing individual performances, mentoring employees to improve their careers, setting measurable goals, caring for employees as people, and being honest even during difficult conversations. 3. Having these attributes allowed this leader to gain the allegiance and hard work of their team through every challenge to ensure the leader's success.
A true leader
- 1. A True Leader There are seldomtimesthatyoucanwork fora true leader. NotonlywasI blessedwithworkingforthis man,but I was blessedforovertenyears. Isitback and wonderwhythisleaderwassoeffectiveand belovedbyhisworkforce. The attributesof thismanwere outstandingandIhave takenthe time to reflectonwhatmade himgreat and listedthembelow. He wasa driveranddrove hisworkforce to levelsthatthe companyhadneverseenandwill probablyneverwitnessagain. He was a compassionate leaderwhounderstoodwhatitwaslike workhiswayupin a company. He didnot forgethisrootsand histeamhad an allegiance tohimthatwas unmatched. These are the attributesthat made himsogreat of a leader. 1. Rewardsuccess. We are alwaysunderbudgetrestraintsbuthe taughtme to take the time and moneytorewarda successful team. The textbookswill tell youthatmoneyisnotthe greatest motivatorbutthere are timesthatyoumust make the financial lifeeasierforyourteambecause of the time away fromthere familythatisrequired. Itisnot alwaysmoney,if couldbe adinner, an outing,a picnic,orjust a simple rewardof nointrinsicvalue. Butyoumust rewardsuccessto be effective. 2. Lead byexample. Whetheritisethicsor principles,one mustalwaystake the highroad. Asa leaderyourteamwill followyourexample. A greatteam alwayssustainsbysuperiorvaluesand ethics 3. Recognize performance. A verbal recognitionof ateamgoesa longway. A “Thank you”, “Good Job”,“Great Effort” meanssomuch to people. Seldomdowe worktomerelygeta check. People gothe extramile because theywanttobe successful and please others. 4. Mentor people. We all believethatwe are goodworkersbutwe all know,orshould,thatwe have deficits. We have strengthsbutthere isalwaysroomtoimprove. A great leadertakesthe time to mentorpeople toamore successful career. Theydonot mentorwhenitistime to reprimandpoorperformance buttheytake the time toexplainwhywe haven’t risentothe next level. 5. Drive performance withmeasurable metrics. People needtoknow whatsuccesslookslike. Theywant to succeedbutmanytimesa leaderdoesnotspell outwhatsuccessis. Give our teamobjectivesthattheycandrive forwardtowardsandbe successful. Discreet,measurable, and attainable goalsare necessaryforateam 6. Be a goodhuman being. Manytimesthere are people thatare successful because theydrivea team. But will the teamworkso hard sotheirleaderisproud? Not always. The leadersthat have a team that will puttheirheadsdownandworkthemselvestonew levelsandrepeatable sustainare the onesthatare ledbya goodpersonwhocares abouteach andeveryone of them. The team will recognizethatandwill followthatleaderthrougheverychallengetoassure his/hersuccess. 7. Be honest. Youmusttell the truth because youneedyourteamtobelieve inyou. Youmaynot be able to say everythingtothe teamat all timesanda simple “I can’tdiscussthat rightnow” earnsmore respectthan a deceitful answer. Tell the teamof the challengesthatithasto face
- 2. and the repercussions of failure. Don’tdodge the hardconversations. We all fall shortof expectationsintime and aleaderunderstands. A greatleadercan discussthe shortcomingsand will coachthe team inhowto be successful nexttime. There are successful badleaderswhothe teamhasnoreal respecttowards. Theycannot sustain and at the endof the day the teamsdismissestheirleadershipskillsand seekoutnew opportunities that are ledbya true champion.