What is Great Leading? – This is the excellent question being discussed on Blog Synergy at the moment
In my career there have been leaders for whom I would happily work for more hours for less pay. There were those who I would not work for again if I was paid double.
The great leaders are those who encourage; they are humble; they are competent; they are kind.
I don’t sign up to the often quoted – ‘You have to be hard to get on’ or ‘You have to be ruthless’ etc., etc.
I advocate getting alongside the people who do the work. Spend time with them. Listen to them. Hear their stories and their ideas. Encourage them. Learn from them.
Great leaders are decisive at times when they need to be; they make decisions and they are consistent. The greatest quality is integrity and professionalism. I do not think charisma necessarily equates to good leadership. The best leaders will emerge as those who have done their homework – who have listened to the people around them and led by example. They walk the talk. They are interested in the small stuff.
This is still my favorite quote of all time about leadership;
Go to the people
Live with them
Learn from them
Love them
Start with what they know
Build with what they have
But with the best leaders
When the work is done
The task accomplished
The people will say
”We have done this ourselves.”
Lao Tsu (700 BC)
Sunday, March 12, 2006
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3 comments:
I always liked your ideas on this topic. The front line workers know all the answers.. Good stuff.
...The people will say
”We have done this ourselves.”...
I believe because they probably did it themselves; the leader just managed to make them see that they had already the capacity and the stuff necessary inside to carry that out and didn't lose track of it.
Thanks all
Wonderful as always to have feedback.
Rocky - front line staff know all the answers all the time - they just need leaders who let them get on with the job - I firmly believe that
Rosa – Yes I agree absolutely - decisiveness is crucial when it is needed. The best leaders know when it is needed. Experience as a leader only comes from being a leader – how is that for me stating the obvious? It is important that leaders are given time to develop just like any other ‘job’
Omara – the best leaders I ever worked for always knew when to ‘let go’ and when to ‘keep hold.’ I valued those leaders most who just let me get on with the job but they were there if I got into trouble – which of course I did on a regular basis. Great leaders do not ‘interfere’ but they have an intangible quality that lets you know they are always ‘available’ if you need them.
Wonderful discussion!
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