Effective Leadership
Effective leadership begins with trust. Whether the arena is business, social, political or military; those whom you wish to lead must trust in you for guidance. This means that you have to begin by setting an example, or rather a standard for what is expected. Ineffective leadership is undefined. It is an assignment with loosely written specifications, it is an uncharted course.
Effective leaders are not afraid to jump into the trenches. We tend to respond the most to the leaders who get in and get their hands dirty with us on a project. Not only does it instill in us the confidence that our leader knows what they are doing but also their determination to get it done. Ineffective leadership is total delegation without input or feedback.
Effective leadership is a proper balancing of professional role modeling and personal compassion. We naturally work harder for leaders who we feel care about us and our well being in and out of the professional environment. However we know where that line is drawn are we are careful not to cross it. Ineffective leadership has no defining lines. It is either so rigid that it breaks under stress or so loose that it has no structure.
Effective leaders are vested in the future, not just theirs or the organization's which they represent, but in the individuals' futures that are working to move that organization forward. An effective leader uses the words "we" and "our" instead of "you" and "its". This is the foundation of teamwork and an effective leader understands the principles behind those words. "We have a plan", "our goal is this". It is a vested interest. An ineffective leader is only concerned with the bottom line if you will. They are vested in the immediate outcome and not the future interest of the whole.
Effective leaders have earned the respect of those they lead. We follow effective leaders not because we have to but because we want to. We have bought into their ideas and concepts. We embrace their vision. Again, not so much because we have to but rather because we want to go where they are leading us. Ineffective leaders raise doubts. We follow them not because we believe in their visions, for typically there is no vision, we follow them because it is a "requirement". Hence they receive from us what is required and usually nothing more.
Effective leaders insight change. They create atmospheres of productivity and environments where growth and innovation flourish. They challenge us to greater things and higher visions. They make us want to be like them and to follow the example they have left.
