Leading For The COMMON Good
After, over four decades, of involvement in nearly all aspects of leadership, and leadership plan, from identifying and qualifying, to training, developing and consulting to thousands of actual and/ or potential leaders, as well as being a leader, for a variety of organizations, I have come to realize, there is no one, single, action, and/ or ability, which will automatically make someone a great leader! Rather, there are often conflicts, between the necessities. For example, while a great leader must proceed with the true, self – confidence, to step forward, and lead others, in the best, possible direction, it is also essential to focus on, and emphasize, leading for the COMMON good, rather than any personal/ political agenda, and/ or, self – interest! With that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what this means and requires, and why it’s a true necessity, to becoming a true, great, effective leader.
1. Care; cooperate; clarity/ clear; coordinate; character: The quality of one’s character, must be examined, and considered, to be certain, the individual, one follows, really cares, about those he serves and represents! His focus must be, to emphasize cooperation, and to present, and articulate, with clarity, a message, which coordinated efforts, in a clear, compelling way!
2. Options; opinions; objectives: One must be ready, willing, and able, to fully consider, options and alternatives, in order to achieve the finest objectives! A great leader must respect the opinions and perceptions/ priorities, of his constituents, and act/ proceed, accordingly!
3. Meeting of minds: Perhaps, the most essential component, of quality leadership, is seeking, consistently, a meeting, of the minds, for the common good! This means, prioritizing, effective listening, rather than enjoying, the sound, of his own voice! One’s stakeholders, constituents, and organization, must come before any personal agenda, etc!
4. Mention; make mark; motivate: How can one, motivate others, unless he is ready, and willing, to mention, the efforts of others, and thank them, for their efforts? Great leaders make their mark, by bringing people together, for the common good!
5. Organized; others: Shouldn’t leading be focused on, and based on others, rather than one’s self? However, this only makes a difference, when/ if, the leader is organized, in order to effectively, get the necessary strategies, and actions, performed, in a timely manner!
6. Needs: The bottom line, perhaps, is, one only earns the right, to be called a leader, when he focuses on needs, goals, and perceptions, and creates the best way, to achieve, a relevant, sustainable, viable solution!
Great leading means proceeding, forward, consistently, for the COMMON good! Are you, up to the task, and responsibilities of quality leadership?
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10109400
