There are some traits to leadership I have been working on lately. You’re never too old or too young to learn how to become a better leader. Jay White developed a lot of these principles. I just tweak them and add the spiritual side to the,. Maybe these principles will help you out as well.
- Vision: In everything, I am casting a vision, everything. Everyday I work to accomplish the vision cast (whether it was six months ago or yesterday). This applies to work, school, and family. I need to visualize where I want to be, where I want our youth programs to be, where I want my family to be, and most importantly, where God wants me to be. Everything must have a worthy vision that provides a goal to work towards. I am always thinking, what am I doing to work to get to the vision completed?
- Developing Relationships: If you want to get nowhere in life, sit in your office and wait for people to come to you. Leadership is out of the box. Interpersonal skills are a must for any leader. God wants me and you to be outward, embracing, and engaging in relationships. There has to be a push to build and develop relationships based upon trust, respect, cooperation, and teamwork. Don’t ask what others can do for you, but rather what you can be doing to help others.
- Strategize: Being able to develop a plan to reach goals successfully is key. Organization helps in this area. If your not organized, strategy and vision go out the window. I always ask what accomplishments need to be made, what obstacles need to be overcome, and what resources will be needed in order to realize the vision.
- Resolve Conflict: I hate conflict. Unfortunately, it’s a part of life and needs resolved. Examine conflict from all angles, determine its root cause, and realize the feelings and perspectives of others. Think, what is my role in the conflict. I am working so hard to with people instead of at people to keep relationships intact.
- Solve Problems: Every your doing something right, expect a problem. “The cost of leadership is conflict.” Understanding problems are coming and being prepared is half the battle. Leadership is about thinking on your feet, gathering all available information, deciphering the facts, and using some good common sense to come up with a workable solution. This area is always a work in process.
Other thoughts on leadership
- A leader is someone whose actions have placed them in a position of trust and authority among their peers.
- A leader is someone whose advice is sought frequently, but never forcefully pushed onto others.
- A leader is someone whose spirit and desire for excellence eclipses that of everyone else around him.
- A leader sees the value in others, and inspires each person to perform their best, many times allowing them to exceed even their own expectations.
- A leader is also able to teach, to convey both physical skills and moral characteristics to those around him, and inspires those people to mimic him in his behaviors and attitudes.
Anyone can be a leader – after all, it is all in the manner and attitude with which one chooses to carry himself.
-Jordan
1 Response to “Working on Leadership”