Characteristics of a good leader

Leaders...

• have a strong desire to achieve...they think, plan and act with an "I can attitude".
• are positive and enthusiastic regardless of how others act.
• want to make things happen! They are active participants in the game of life.
• are good friends. They have the ability to find something good in every person and every situation.
• are assertive, persistent and productive. They have determination.
• believe success depends on what you can get out of you
• expose themselves to new experiences. For they know that is how growth occurs.
• delegate responsibilities to members of the group or team in such a manner to create motivation and enthusiasm.
• Possess high self-esteem.

The ten commandments of leadership

1. Treat everyone with respect and dignity.
2. Set the example for others to follow.
3. Be an active coach.
4. Maintain the highest standards of honesty and integrity.
5. Insist on excellence and hold your people accountable.
6. Build group cohesiveness and pride.
7. Show confidence in your people.
8. Maintain a strong sense of urgency.
9. Be available and visible to your staff.
10. Develop yourself to your high test potential.

Strategies for putting yourself in a position to win

• Identify and mobilize your resources
• Realize from the start that you make your own breaks
• Disregard the negativism and jealousy of others
• Success should be noticed, not told! Speak softly when discussing your success. Practice humility
• The less people know about why6 you are successful, the less competition you will have
• Have a plan of action with an equally impressive contingency plan
• Realize that you will learn something new every day. Capitalize on your new found knowledge
• Remain focused. Avoid the temptation to splinter off to something new until you have mastered your primary task
• You must leave "The Box". Think creatively. Allow your vision to know no boundaries. Common sense will prevail
• Compensate people appropriately for what they are worth and what contributions they have made to your success
• With every set back you’ll take two steps forward
• You must learn to be comfortable with the concept of success and remain poised as it builds upon itself

Seven power plays for leaders team work

1. Give credit to others in the group. This means going beyond thanking, etc. Giving credit to someone for making something happen is the power position. Remember—only the powerless feel the need to broadcast that they are indispensable. When you’re given credit for your "work, "quickly and publicly acknowledge assistance from others.
2. Take the blame. Saying, "I did it; it’s my fault/responsibility; shoot me, I’m to blame," and interesting thing will happen--your stature will increase with others! Most people appreciate having the blame shared almost as much as getting the credit.
3. Assist those who need help. Help those in your group to do their job right (in order to make the group look good). Your power is increased if you offer help to people who aren’t carrying their weight. You may not be acknowledged for this, but you will be noticed!
4. Do something new and give credit to "the team" or to someone else. Pretending that someone else is responsible is a "polite fiction." Everyone will know it was your idea.
5. Provide coaching when you see problems. Coaching is not "telling." It often means ensuring that the person having the problem has the information, resources, and knowledge of possible alternatives. Coaching is an ultimate power position!
6. Listen! Effective listening skills are recognized even by bores, malcontents and prima donnas--they all strive for attention. If you acknowledge, clarity, and convey acceptance of what they are saying (not necessarily agreeing), you may diffuse their position, and gain unexpected support and involvement by other group members.
7. Love the unloved. All groups seem to have the marginally competent who make unnecessary work for others. Learn to exhibit tolerance to those who can’t be bored out; a great time to exercise coaching skills.
   
   Power plays are not always wrong. Remember that positive power play may not give the immediate emotional satisfaction such as received from telling someone off or burying them in their mistakes, but the effect lasts longer--as an organization you get things done!

Note: Thanks and apologies to Marilyn M. Kennedy (Kennedy’s Career Strategist) for the thoughts outlined.

Maximizing your leadership potential

Here are some ways to help members feel good about themselves:

• Get to know your members as people first, then delegate any tasks.
• Convey the proper message through your verbal and non-verbal communication style. Be serious or humorous when  appropriate.
• Show your members that you trust them and earn their trust through your hard work.
• when people enjoy working with you they’ll flock to assist you. Be consistent!
• when you delegate responsibilities, let them do it their way. Don’t reclaim tasks at the first sign things aren’t going well.
• Let members express themselves creatively within the parameters of their job.
• Cancel meetings when they are necessary.
• involve as many people as possible. If people feel ownership they are less likely to disappoint.
• When you talk to members, give them your undivided attention. Listen to and act their suggestions. Help them to see that they’re important to you.
• Separate the member from his/her acts. When there’s a problem, let the member know that you’re displeased with what they did, but not with them as a person. Keep business and personal matters separate.
• Praise when appropriate, counsel when necessary. . . but exercise both with caution.
• Avoid having favorites or comparing one member to another.
• Be organized and prepared to lead. Set clear guidelines and be consistent in enforcing them.
• Avoid put-downs or the destruction of an idea.
• Look for the good in what people are doing, not just the bad. . . catch people dong things right
• Encourage neatness and accuracy.
• When there’s a conflict between two members involve them in the resolution.
• Learn to express your feelings honestly, and let others do the same.
• Admit publicly when you have made a mistake and how you can plan to correct the error.
• Share the power of decision-making.
• Be fair, kind and considerate.
• Don’t require more of the member than they are able to do.