Ten keys to effective leadership

The leaders of vision to multiply the DNA. If you have the wrong person in the viewing direction becomes corrupt, and birth defects are the result. Here are ten characteristics of an effective leader to help you assess yourself and others:

Listen twice as much as we speak.

Encouraging people to take risks

Evaluate the facts before making a decision

To account for yourself and others

Invite people to do their best.

Respect those "below" and "over" you ...

Solve problems with action

Honor your word.

Includes others in the process.

Praise publicly, criticize privately and correct.

Each letter in the word leadership shines a light on the qualities that define a leader:



Listen twice as much as we speak. A leader recognizes that it is important to listen as you speak. A good leader says, empathizes, and then leads a person to find their own solution - but that comes only after listening to is really what it says and what is said. Show that you care and listen as John Maxwell says rightly: "The people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care."

Encourage people to take risks. When you respond to mistakes as learning opportunities instead of finding fault and blame, is to encourage people to find better solutions. Fear does not motivate, inhibits. If people are afraid of making a mistake for fear of retaliation, not stretch to seize every opportunity. Distinguish between a fact of inattention and error a mistake in trying to be resourceful in solving a problem. The first consequences of the event deserves, the encouragement it properly.

Evaluate the facts before making a decision. It 'important for a leader to be decisive, but it is equally important to gather all the facts known before. In the areas of performance, again, get both sides to the story before acting. Never, never take the word of a person and not "investigate" the situation only through third parties. Testimony of third parties should collaborate or refute what you have learned directly from the people involved. When making decisions regarding the process and obtain information directly by those responsible for working and not settle for only the opinions of others. Assess all known facts, and then make the best decision based on such data.

Ask behalf of themselves and others. Leadership is not easy, if it were, everyone would do it. Leaders must maintain a higher standard for themselves than they do for others. Accept total responsibility for all actions taken and decisions made - regardless of personal consequences - and ask the same of your staff. Leaders pay a high price social, emotional and spiritual. Only those who are willing to pay the price they are qualified for leadership. Before accepting a position of leadership drives the question must be asked, "are willing to sacrifice myself to lead?"

Expect the best of your staff. When your first response is "if they knew better, who would be better," your first reaction is "I have fully equipped to do their job?" or "I have clearly articulated my expectations?" When we look in first, often stops our anger towards the outside. When people know you expect them to do their best, most likely. When they expect you to punish or blame them for errors, most likely will not do anything - good or bad. This does not mean that we tolerate incompetence, but when you think much of your staff who inspire them to excel beyond their limits so they are not disappointed. This creates a win-win.

Respect those "below" and "above" you. There are many who say that respect must be earned and to some degree correct. However, each person must be guaranteed a certain level of respect, because they are God's creation that He loves. In addition, there are cases where, despite a person is of low character, are worthy of respect for the position.

Solve problems and increase the value in the eyes of those who follow and those who follow you. Some people focus on the problem. Some focus on finding solutions. A leader aims to transform the solutions into action, because only then is a problem solved. Leaders face challenges, seek the assistance of competent people who jointly develop the best solution but the next step shows real leadership because they convert the solution of a game plan and then over to see his execution. There are times when a leader has to act alone, and there are times when it has to incorporate the views, opinions and wisdom of others. A wise leader knows the difference.

Honor your word. There is nothing that instills greater fidelity than knowing that a person is a person of honor - and that begins with honoring the word to your own harm. What we say should not change simply because the audience changes. If we commit to something (even if circumstances change, which makes the commitment to a challenge or discomfort) have to follow through. If you said, we do it well. When a person we are honoring our word, our word becomes a standard that others can rely, and that trust is priceless.

Includes others in the process. If it is true that "the ducks flock together, but the eagles fly alone," which is not a good position to be in when you make changes that impact the lives of others. Nobody sees everything from all angles, we need experience, expertise and the gift of others to make our decisions more effective. Include others in the process, gathering their input, allowing them to offer solutions, through the involvement of others help them to have the result. However, when a decision must be made, do so with confidence, knowing that it is the best decision to make when.

Praise publicly, criticize privately. Although this is the last of his importance can not be underestimated. A leader knows that "you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar." When you praise in public, the employee stands in the eyes of his peers and is often a great motivator. However, when public humiliate people, is to instill fear, resentment and hurt, all of which are tools for the fight, the confusion and rebellion. Ask yourself, do you want your boss to publicly praise or criticize you?


What to do if you realize that you do not have an effective leader? Consider this: Great leaders recognize that the jurisdiction is essential. If the removal of a poor artist is a bigger challenge than letting go of a vacant position until the right person is found, then you have failed in driving. When appropriate disciplinary procedures are in place and followed, it is necessary to recognize that more harm than good is done when an incompetent person remains in one position. There is no room for an incompetent leader. If you have promoted someone because they have the right heart, but do not possess the necessary skills, admit you made a mistake, remove the person and do double duty until the person is better. Pastors, educators and those who serve others often fail in this regard because they want to give a person every chance of success. The question must always be asked: "I'm having my vision, I'm doing a disservice to those who are accountable to making this go on too long?" It 'better to help a person find where they fit rather than continue to take them into a position where they are not. An ineffective leader must be removed quickly, but so redemptive.

While there are other leadership traits that separate good leaders from great leaders, this list gives a good foundation. When lives depend on what you or your management team does, then you can not afford to disappoint them. Make the tough decisions, but to the right....