Extraordinary Leadership

Extraordinary Leadership

Great leaders are not defined by the absence of weakness, but rather by the presence of clear strengths. The key to developing great leadership is to build strengths. 

Leaders can be made

•    Leadership characteristics can be developed.

•    You can be a better leader.

•    Some people come into the world endowed with self-confidence and a keen intellect that is clearly an advantage.

•    But nearly all people are made better leaders from specific development activities.

•    Leaders are a lot more “made” than they are “born”.

•    Best evidence that leaders can be created starting with “regular” people is the remarkable track record of the U.S. Marines.

•    Marine recruits often come from troubled or abusive homes.

•    They often have not attended college.

•    Yet many marine recruits are transformed into effective leaders after a two-to three-year period and go on to display remarkable leadership skills as their careers continue.   

“The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born- that there is a genetic factor to leadership.

Myth asserts that people simply either have certain charismatic qualities or not. That's nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born”

                                      -Warren G. Bennis

Great leaders make a great difference

•    Good leaders are more effective than bad leaders n almost every dimension.

•    Great leader improve productivity, reduce turnover, enhance customer service, and create high levels of employee commitment.

•    Extraordinary leaders make a major difference, when compared with merely good leaders.

To increase a leader’s positive impact:

•    Focus on moving leaders from “bad” to “good.

•    Don’t focus on moving leaders from “good” to slightly better”.

•    Set the goal moving leaders from “good” to “great”.

Character is the essence of leadership 

•    Person who receives low marks on character has absolutely no chance of being perceived as a great leader, especially in long run.

•    Leaders with character follow through on commitments.

•    They keep their word.

•    They make decision with the good of the organization in mind, rather than personal agenda.

•    Leaders with character treat others with respect.

•    They don’t “smile up and kick down”.

•    Leaders with integrity look at others through a positive lens.

•    They assume others have good intentions rather than bad.

•    They look to collaborate rather than compete.

•    High-character leaders keep learning.

•    They try new things and adjust rapidly to changing environment.

•    They attempt to improve themselves constantly.

•    They look for feedback and act on it.

Behavior→ Attitudes → Character

If successfully alter your behavior, there will be remarkable transformation in attitudes and, eventually, character.

•    Always deliver

•    Be humble

•    Find a mirror

“Everything about great leadership radiates from character”.

                                                                                    - Dave Ulrich

Leaders need personal capability-

•    Technical knowledge.

•    Product knowledge.

•    Problem analysis and problem-solving skills.

•    Professional skills.

•    Innovation.

•    Initiative.

•    Effective use of information technology.

Successful leaders have a four career progress stage-

1.  Stage one is the time when individuals must prove they can learn the business and develop a solid foundation of technical expertise.

2.  Stage two, individual continue to build technical skills and become independent contributors.

3.  Stage three, they become mentors-developing the careers and expertise of others.

4.  Stage four; they become organizational visionaries- leading the organization in new directions.

The best leaders never quit learning.

Some techniques to maximize your personal capability.          

•    Understand the technology.

•    Perfect professional skills.

•    Try new things.