| |
| |
|
Leadership |
|
|
|
Articles and Information about LeadershipNetFinancial | Institutions | LoansColleges and Universities | Search Engines Elements of Timeless Leadership
Great leadership is timeless, always in vogue. The world has been hungry for great leaders from time immemorial. In times of chaos and war, environmental and social upheaval, great leaders often emerge pointing the way toward peace. In times of tranquility, calm and prosperity, great leaders have emerged to maintain the systems of order and to challenge apathy. Great leadership is always popular, but in times of enormous need, how do we differentiate the great from the greedy, the strong leader from the despot? The principles are ancient and have stood the test of time. Great leaders always move out in front, establishing direction, insuring order, and providing correction and regulation as needed. Always passionate about their followers, great leaders are eager to live their lives in service to their needs. When considering highly regarded leaders throughout both world and personal history, we seem to perennially return to the analogy of the shepherd. We deem it the supreme accolade to characterize a leader as shepherd. There is much to learn about great leadership from this analogy. Through an examination of the traits and attributes, perspectives on the shepherd's approach will move us to next level leadership. 1. The shepherd recognizes the sheep are not his to do with as he pleases. He understands the sheep are not a tool, a means to an end, but a resource charged to his care. He is empowered, entrusted by another; responsible, and answerable to one who has greater authority. As an effective leader, he understands not only what it means to be a leader, but what it means to follow as well. Understanding and acceptance of the cycle cultivates and reinforces character. 2. The sheep hear, recognize and follow the voice of their shepherd. People naturally navigate to the familiar. Trust develops with experience gained in relationships. We have often heard that familiarity breeds contempt, but it also breeds trust and, with time and consistency, strengthens expectations. 3. The shepherd knows the sheep intimately and is able to call each by name. Shepherds use a system of sounds, clicks and hisses to call the sheep, slightly different for each of the sheep in the flock and every sheep knows and responds to the specific sound which is his. Consistent caring proximity is always recognized and always produces results. Relationship is the key - there is no such thing as an absentee shepherd. 4. The shepherd always leads the sheep into the safest, most beneficial conditions available and always away from harm. Strategically, he goes out before them, out of harm, into safety - but always maintaining the lead. He never expects the sheep to move into circumstances he is not willing to withstand among them, rather always expecting more of himself than he would of those in his charge. 5. The shepherd is willing to put the immediate needs and well-being of the sheep before his own, often at great personal risk. The well-being of those entrusted to him is paramount to the shepherd. This singularity of purpose encourages his decisions to be always grounded in integrity. The shepherd is prepared to lay down his life both literally and figuratively. 6. There is a difference between a hired hand and a shepherd. A hired hand is motivated by compensation. A shepherd has a deep and committed interest in the sheep. He is one who is responsible for what is not his - - by his own choice. And his relationship is characterized by longevity and consistent presence, with or without significant compensation. The shepherd is at all times ready to lay down his life for the sheep. How much more the leader for the people entrusted to him. People are a sacred trust and serving them is an awesome commission. The true shepherd understands the critical difference between power, often stolen and generally imposed oppressively upon the unsuspecting, and authority, which speaks of responsibility and answerability to a higher power. The picture is a simple one, possibly too unsophisticated for the best business schools. But as we turn to the simple, we find that common sense, in its crystal clarity, is at its base, and as Victor Hugo observed, "common sense is in spite of, not as a result of education." Hopefully that is changing, so we will turn out a generation of leaders who are both educated and wise, simple and passionately dedicated. Copyright 2005 So-lu'shunz Management Services Karin Syren is a certified coach specializing in EffectivenessCoaching, with a concentration on issues facing women in leadership. Karin has helped leaders at all levels to clearly identify issues facing them, coaching them through the steps to gaining, regaining & maintaining control of the intense demands and transitions facing them. She offers guidance in discovering mission, creating vision and designing goals, increasing effectiveness through increased awareness. Visit her website to take a sample of her unique Personal Awareness Questionnaire at http://www.solushunz.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Leadership - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Fighting the Gravitational Pull of Positional Leadership A little on leadership?Many people enter the leadership world through a position and a title, but we must understand that just owning a title doesn't make you a leader. Being a leader is about influence. The Happy Jar I just delivered a free speech. I am a great believer in free speech, but an even greater believer in paid speech. Choose To Become An Encourager ".. Business Leadership: How Much is in Your Credibility Bank Account? Business leaders have more than a title on their doors. They also have the trust and confidence of those who work for them; who work with them; and who buy from them. Exceptional Leadership Inspires the Best Effort in Others There is a steady stream being written and taught about leadership these days. There are tips about leadership, courses about leadership, books, retreats, and continuing education - all focused on leadership. Are You a Good Manager or a Great Leader? Your word is your truth - Know that when you speak, you will fulfill your promise to others and others will know they can depend on you. Think before you speak. E=MC - Is It In Me? How many times have you seen the E = MC2 formula andwondered what it might mean to you?Old Einstein had a lot more up his sleeve than fancyalgebraic equations. This particular "thought experiment"still inspires discoveries of various sorts throughout theworld today. Three Growth Guidelines from Stephen Covey I have been looking for answers to what it takes to create a winning corporate culture in the midst of today's confusing economic indicators. If I rely solely on history or economic indicators, I won't find the answers. Leadership Skills - 10 Ways to Beef Up 10 Ways to Beef Up Your Leadership SkillsHave you ever heard someone say, "Actually, I have to admit that I think I am really bad at managing other people. My staff all hate me and I'm incapable of doing my job". How To Party Like Leonardo Da Vinci After studying scores of great thinkers like Leonardo Da Vinci, I think I've stumbled upon what really set them apart from the rest of the folks living (and thinking) at the same time.It's remarkably simple. To Be An Effective Leader, Do A Check-up From The Neck Up Before we can effectively lead anyone, we must take an introspective view of ourselves. We must do a check-up from the neck up. Give Your Valentine A Very Special Gift - Empowerment Delegating is a commonly misunderstood concept. Delegating is not about dumping problems or chores you dislike doing onto the shoulders of others, it is an invaluable tool for "motivating and training your team to realize their full potential. What Every Manager Should Know About How to See the Talents of Effective Leaders An organization of any size, from the family to the department store, the neighborhood grocery store to the largest international corporations, is a reflection of its leadership.And leadership is only as good as its leaders. Recommended Books on Leadership and Team Building The single most important thing a leader can do is lead by example, and if you want your team to be dynamic and learn more, you've got to continually innovate and find new ways to encourage, reward, and motivate YOURSELF! That's right, I said you've got to motivate YOU! If you lead by example, and you're motivated, soon your team will be too!That being said, here are my recommendations for a few good leadership and team building books. Enjoy!The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow them and People Will Follow You Failing ForwardJohn C. Introduction to the The Enneagram as a Leadership Tool The Enneagram is a fascinating tool of nine orientations that enables us to gain insight into the depths of our true potential. It seeks to provide insight into how we fund our foundation of assumptions so they work for us or they don't! (In some ways it provides a generic Owner's Manual to Life! That little book we all hoped came with us to provide insightful directions on how to employ us and treat us with care. Elements of Timeless Leadership Great leadership is timeless, always in vogue. The world has been hungry for great leaders from time immemorial. The Three Factors of Leadership Motivation Leaders do nothing more important than get results. But you can't get results by yourself. Make the Most of Your Mentoring Relationships Mentoring is one of the best ways to learn, to get feedback, and to take your career to the next level. Here are ten tips for making the most of your mentoring relationships. The Flexible Leadership Workshop The Leadership ChallengeLeaders in today's society are faced with an increasingly complex challenge: To deliver business results in the face of rapidly changing conditions, while building team members' capacity to address the future. While organizations are becoming generally flatter, less hierarchical, less "command-and-control," individual managers must still determine which leadership style to employ. None of Us Arrived with an Owners Manual: A Fresh Perspective on the Drive to Lead (part 2) Why didn't I get an Owner's ManualAfter a little while with life happening and no sign of the Manual we began to realize we would need to make the best of it. We began to look around to see who had one and studied what they knew, surely some of it must be generic! We began to study our parents, our siblings - if they looked competent enough, and our other care givers.
|
|
Currency Trading | Investing | Leadership | Negoatiation | Real Estate | Stocks and Mutual Funds | Taxes home | NetFinancial | Institutions | Loans | Colleges and Universities | site map Search Engines | EZmatic | 0pops | GetSonic | TrafficFish | Health |
| © 2006 |
