"Leaders don't force people to follow – they invite them on a journey."
- Charles S. Lauer
Leadership is quite the BUZZ WORD these days. The real BUZZ is around being a LEADER, not training to become one. The leadership challenge as CEO, Manager, President of the Board, Director, Mom/Dad –is knowing it is your role to guide and support your team in THEIR efforts to be SUCCESSFUL. Do you see yourself as a LEADER or a BOSS? A BOSS tells the team "GO!" while a LEADER tells the team "LETS GO!" A LEADER "walks the talk" while a BOSS "just talks." I'm sure you know that difference… Which are you?
This week, I began meeting with prospective Board members for my upcoming Presidency in the Nashville Area Junior Chamber which will begin in July. Why start chatting so early?? I believe that LEADERSHIP does not begin when you accept on a title or a role. It begins when you DECIDE you are willing to sacrifice your personal needs to see others be successful and relish in the accomplishments you receive as a TEAM. I believe that our group, NAJCC, is poised for huge growth in the upcoming year and that my VISION is the driving force to get there. I also know that MY vision of the group may vary from others. Hence, you must begin meeting, talking, and sharing thoughts early, so when it is "GO TIME" we are all on the same page! I do not believe that as a leader you have to AGREE with all your team mates – I DO believe you have to respect and listen to THEIR vision and plans for success… Your GROWTH as a professional and a person is dependent upon your willingness to HUMBLE yourself, ASK for help and REALIZE you are not always the BEST person for the job.
2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:
When in a position of authority, it is important that you demonstrate LEADERSHIP so you can command and maintain the respect of your team. It is very EASY to slip into the BOSS role – the position of authority that TALKS a lot about what needs to be done, yet is UNWILLING to make the same sacrifices he/she is asking the team to make.
If you seek to be a SUCCESSFUL leader – you MUST commit to being the best EXAMPLE of what you wish your team to become. This is the first step to LEADERSHIP! Additionally, your success is achieved when you possess and share the KNOWLEDGE of your craft, you live the COMMITMENT to being the best example in taking actions and unquestionably SUPPORT your team with encouragement.
Your best steps to seeing this though is to define your GOALS and work with you TEAM to gain consensus. DEFINE roles and SHARE in responsibility. As a LEADER your role is to SERVE your team – not the other way around hence you FORFEIT certain luxuries when you take your leadership role. MARVEL in the development of your team… their success is your new REWARD!
Cheers,
Zach
*To enjoy past editions of the Morning Motivator go to – http://grow-learn-lead.blogspot.com
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