How to Be a Leader for All Seasons

Anyone can lead in good times, when profits are in line with projections, products and services are in demand and employees are satisfied and working together well. But the true test of leadership is when the chips are down, there's negative press, high employee turnover, customers are defecting, and sales have plummeted. Every leader can learn to stay the course and be a leader for all seasons; but for some it will take more time and increased effort. Here are several strategies you can use to become a well-balanced leader in and out of season.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 

   Balance authority and empowerment. Use leadership authority wisely and solicit input from employees when making decisions. Learn to take charge without always being in control.

2. 

   Perform an ego check. Are you more concerned about image, personal ambition, and what people will think than about employees and the company? Leading others is not a head game. You don’t have all the answers all of the time. You need to learn from others.

3. 

   Accept responsibility and the full consequences of failures and mistakes. Apologize to any person or constituency that may have been hurt (yes, that's right, say "I'm sorry"). Don’t bail out and blame others when the going gets rough. It's not always another person's fault when mistakes are made. Admit that you’ve made a mistake even if it's not apparent to others that it was your fault.

4. 

   Build trust and credibility. A leader earns credibility and trust by being honest, telling the truth and by knowing how to do his or her job well. If credibility and trust are not established, nothing the leader tries to do will be accomplished.

5. 

   Give credit where credit is due. Pats on the back are not meant just for the leader, they should be given by the leader to the specific employees who successfully accomplished the task, or who were responsible for the idea.

6. 

   Display empathy. Express concern and demonstrate your understanding of another person's situation or feelings. Listen proactively and ask questions to increase understanding.

7. 

   Curb any tendencies to micro manage. Let's face it. Some leaders are control freaks. This can stem from a combination of a powerful personality and a fear of being rejected or losing control of a situation. For some leaders, being always in control provides comfort and stability. However, when taken to the extreme this need for control can paralyze workers and ultimately the entire organization.

8. 
   Bosses & Orchards

   Enhance your skills by enrolling in a leadership development program, taking leadership courses or participating in leadership coaching. Additionally, use the resources below to learn how to be a better boss.

Resources

• Tune Up Your Leadership Skills
• God & Career
• Top 10 Career Resources

[Psalmist4M]

on 6/24/2008 I sincerely appreciate this article...timely and very appropriate for those starting a ministry or any leadership position. thanks. cherylgoff.com

[Gracie1402]

on 6/21/2008 I like step number 6! Very true!