Leadership
- Thread starter TerokNor
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That's a good question.
I look at Pike when I make this comment:
Self-confidence. Don't just be open, be strong in your abilities and let others know that YOU know who and what you are.
Experience: A lot of leadership ability takes time.
Know-how. Know how to get attention from people.
I look at Pike when I make this comment:
Self-confidence. Don't just be open, be strong in your abilities and let others know that YOU know who and what you are.
Experience: A lot of leadership ability takes time.
Know-how. Know how to get attention from people.
This is by no means an end-all, be-all or anything, but for me, I've developed my leadership qualities the most by experiencing certain hardships that have chiseled my resolve. These hardships are the sort that compassionate people would feel sympathetic over and so I've developed a great deal of compassion, too.
Leaders need to be visible and approachable. Charisma is a useful quality to have.
But most of all, leadership is about give people direction and stability. Let people know what they need to do, and where they fit into the whole. Related to this, being fickle by changing plans/direction too frequently can lead people to worry, and lack confidence in you as a leader.
It's also be about hiding complexity enough that the tasks people are served are straightforward. That way people aren't troubled by questions and uncertainties and can feel confident about their own work and progress. Also, nobody wants you watching over their shoulder, or feeling like you're questioning their competence. Give people space.
Ideally, you want people to perform their best, and they should want to impress you with their work. So try to nurture that environment. eg, nurture a neutral atmosphere. Too positive/negative vibes and people will underperform. People need to feel appreciated and a little praise for good work goes a long way. But give out praise too often and people will devalue it's meaning. Regulate positive/negative feedback accordingly.
But most of all, leadership is about give people direction and stability. Let people know what they need to do, and where they fit into the whole. Related to this, being fickle by changing plans/direction too frequently can lead people to worry, and lack confidence in you as a leader.
It's also be about hiding complexity enough that the tasks people are served are straightforward. That way people aren't troubled by questions and uncertainties and can feel confident about their own work and progress. Also, nobody wants you watching over their shoulder, or feeling like you're questioning their competence. Give people space.
Ideally, you want people to perform their best, and they should want to impress you with their work. So try to nurture that environment. eg, nurture a neutral atmosphere. Too positive/negative vibes and people will underperform. People need to feel appreciated and a little praise for good work goes a long way. But give out praise too often and people will devalue it's meaning. Regulate positive/negative feedback accordingly.
Assuming you are speaking of a job leadership position...
Many different areas, but for one you have to set a level of repect, care, and look.
Dont' waltz in, call everybody "Dawgs", and wave them off to go do shit, dress like you just came from the gym, or ever whip out your cellphone (or text) for anything other than business related calls (unless on break, and try to hold those calls AWAY from employees).
You don't have to dress like a sales man or like you're going to a $2,000.00 dinner baffet, but try to look some what professional, and expect something similar from your employees.
Remember to not be the boss you hated. The one that cursed at you, treated you like shit, didn't give a rats ass, and was a dick seemingly just for the enjoyment of it.
But also remember you are leading you are the face of a company and you need to keep its interests in mind.
Don't get too involved in employe's lives, and you really shouldn't be hanging out with them at parties afterward, or a bar.
And if you got to fire anyone, do it like Donald Trump: "You're fired!".
Many different areas, but for one you have to set a level of repect, care, and look.
Dont' waltz in, call everybody "Dawgs", and wave them off to go do shit, dress like you just came from the gym, or ever whip out your cellphone (or text) for anything other than business related calls (unless on break, and try to hold those calls AWAY from employees).
You don't have to dress like a sales man or like you're going to a $2,000.00 dinner baffet, but try to look some what professional, and expect something similar from your employees.
Remember to not be the boss you hated. The one that cursed at you, treated you like shit, didn't give a rats ass, and was a dick seemingly just for the enjoyment of it.
But also remember you are leading you are the face of a company and you need to keep its interests in mind.
Don't get too involved in employe's lives, and you really shouldn't be hanging out with them at parties afterward, or a bar.
And if you got to fire anyone, do it like Donald Trump: "You're fired!".
Leaders inspire others to do their best; lead by example. Be the person you want others (your team, your employees) to be.
Be fair. Don't play favorites. All the rules apply equally to everyone. Be kind but be fair. You can't be the hardnose who is unwilling to compromise but neither can you be a doormat the people walk all over. Be too extreme either direction and people will not respect you.
Be rational. If you are too impulsive or emotional, no one will trust your judgment. Again, a little compassion goes a long way; if people feel that you are basically sympathetic, they will come to you with their problems or concerns. If you are too emotional, however, people will see you as weak or unpredictable, and will stay away.
Be fair. Don't play favorites. All the rules apply equally to everyone. Be kind but be fair. You can't be the hardnose who is unwilling to compromise but neither can you be a doormat the people walk all over. Be too extreme either direction and people will not respect you.
Be rational. If you are too impulsive or emotional, no one will trust your judgment. Again, a little compassion goes a long way; if people feel that you are basically sympathetic, they will come to you with their problems or concerns. If you are too emotional, however, people will see you as weak or unpredictable, and will stay away.
Don't fuck up. 
When I was in the Army they drilled into our brains to make a decision whether it be right or wrong, just make a decision. The one thing they hated was a leader who was indecisive and just stood around while their Soldiers were getting attacked.
I would say one of the most important qualities of being a leader is the ability to make decisions--quick decisions, tough decisions, wise decisions, decisions made by oneself or on behalf of others. You have to act/react wisely and quickly in the best interest of the group.
The other important quality is responsibility, as in taking charge and doing your job well. You also have to have accountability for your actions and the actions of those whom you lead.
The other important quality is responsibility, as in taking charge and doing your job well. You also have to have accountability for your actions and the actions of those whom you lead.
In the real world, you also have to be good at
(1) blaming others, and making it stick.
(2) liquidating the company's contingencies and playing the odds that you don't come a cropper.
(3) hiding all the big/expensive problems well enough that you've left the company before things fall apart.
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As a leader you are there to support the people on your team, not the other way around. Your interactions and decisions should focused on making your team succeed within the organization's mission.
Don't be afraid to discipline or fire someone who needs it. The worst thing is to have one or two termites eating away at the interior of your team. When something is wrong, act quickly and purposefully. Debrief the rest of the team as appropriate to ensure that they all know that whatever happened is not to be tolerated.
Read. There are tons of leadership books out there and a few of the great ones are: John Maxwell (21 Irrifuatble Laws of Leadership), Pete Drucker (The Effective Executive), Dale Carnegie (How to Win Friends and Influence People), Jack Welch, John Wooden, and lots of others. All good stuff.
Don't be afraid to discipline or fire someone who needs it. The worst thing is to have one or two termites eating away at the interior of your team. When something is wrong, act quickly and purposefully. Debrief the rest of the team as appropriate to ensure that they all know that whatever happened is not to be tolerated.
Read. There are tons of leadership books out there and a few of the great ones are: John Maxwell (21 Irrifuatble Laws of Leadership), Pete Drucker (The Effective Executive), Dale Carnegie (How to Win Friends and Influence People), Jack Welch, John Wooden, and lots of others. All good stuff.
In the real world, you also have to be good at
(1) blaming others, and making it stick.
(2) liquidating the company's contingencies and playing the odds that you don't come a cropper.
(3) hiding all the big/expensive problems well enough that you've left the company before things fall apart.
I love your ideas!
Be willing to put your balls on the line, while knowing enough about what you're doing to feel confident about letting it all hang out, and being able to communicate effectively enough to inspire others to do the same.
That's all there is to it, really. The rest is just window-dressing and powerpoint slides. It's all just transferable soft skills. If I had to boil it down even further (at the risk of getting into the realm of McKinsey-esque buzzword bingo): Critical Path spotting, Contingency Planning, and Charisma.
A lot of it comes down to becoming the kind of person that other people turn to when everything goes to shit.
When I was fighting with the lawyers at BMC I was told, "Once you reach management, you can no longer be a friend to the rank and file."
The exact opposite of this is true.
The most important quality in a leader is to genuinely care about the people who report to you.
The exact opposite of this is true.
The most important quality in a leader is to genuinely care about the people who report to you.
