EXCELLENT LEADER

BEING AN EXCELLENT LEADER

Would you love to be an excellent leader? Most of us who have senior positions in organisations would prefer to be considered excellent leaders, but find that we are too busy getting things done to pay much attention to our style of leadership. And it can seem daunting when we look at all the writing on leadership – how will we ever match up?

There are some very significant differentiating factors, which all great leaders seem to have in common.

1. A vision of how it could be better

A leader is going somewhere, they always want to make the workplace even better. This vision of how it could be both inspires others and makes them feel that they are doing something worthwhile.

2. Emotional intelligence

The excellent leader is a grown-up. They know how to manage themselves and their emotions, in such a way that they bring out the best in themselves. They deal with the ups and downs of life, without getting caught by them and deal with others in a way that encourages them.

3. Enthusiasm

Emotional intelligence is not about repressing the emotions. In fact, great leaders show a lot of constructive emotion, caring passionately about what they want to achieve.

4. Lack of egotism

The excellent leader is no longer trying to prove themselves and their credibility. They are happy to give others credit for what is achieved and focus on their vision and how they can enthuse others to help them to achieve it, rather than looking for ways to look good themselves.

5. Valuing people

It is impossible to achieve a vision on your own and excellent leaders know that they can only achieve what they want if their people are encouraged to give of their best. They notice when people do right and value every contribution.

6. Communicating well

This doesn’t mean flash presentations, it means talking and listening to people as if they and the message matter.

7. Having treble vision

Leaders pay attention simultaneously to the current reality, the next stages of achieving their vision and the intended end-game. They take into account the long-term effects of their actions, so that the vision is not sabotaged for short-term results.