The definition of leadership is so much more than the words used in the dictionary. There are so many facets to the meaning of the word. Leaders are usually self-made and successful through hard work and making tough decisions. The good news is leadership is not about a person's title on a business card. Instead, it's about taking action and achieving goals, not about position. So if we believe that leadership begins and ends with action, then all of us have certainly taken some positive form of action in our lives; therefore, we are all leaders. I feel all to often people misinterpret their own ability to lead. To be a leader you don't necessarily have to have followers. You just have to individually take action on achieving your own personal goals. Are you making a real difference in your world by your leadership, and what can you do to challenge yourself?
"Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality." -Warren Bennis
There are so many studies referencing how leaders think, learn, act, and apply their actions. I, personally, connect best with "easy to use and understand" steps, which is what I found in Brian Tracy's book, The 7 Secrets Of Exceptional Leadership. As you read each of the below secrets, take a moment to assess additions you can make in your life to be a better leader.
Secret 1: Leaders Know Who They Are ~ Leaders have clarity on who they are, what they want, what they believe in and stand for. Leaders are superior individuals, self-actualizing people who are honest and objective with themselves.
Secret 2: Leaders Know What They Want ~ Leaders are clear about their goals and are determined to get what they want. Tracy mentions that goal-orientation is the "master skill of success." Goal setting is the most outwardly identifiable quality of a leader or top performer. Not everyone is as skilled or comfortable at setting goals. With practice, you can learn to set and achieve your goals. To get you started, he mentions taking 30 seconds or less to write down your answers to very specific questions that will give you an immediate look at what is most important to you at this moment. Questions like:
- What are your three most important goals in life, right now?
- What one great goal would you set for yourself if you knew you couldn't fail?
- What are my three most important business goals, right now?
Secret 3: Leaders Are Committed To Winning ~ Leaders are very competitive people. They strive for personal excellence, as well as business excellence, always looking to achieve more and at a higher level.
Secret 4: Leaders Are Courageous ~ The most important quality for a leader is vision, the second is courage. There are two parts of courage: 1- the courage to begin your vision, and 2- the willingness to endure the ride.
Secret 5: Leaders Get Results ~ Leaders will ask, "What are the most important results expected of me?" Getting results is about how best you can allocate your time each day. Time management is management of yourself ~ decide wisely.
Secret 6: Leaders Inspire Others ~ The only way to really inspire others is to be inspired yourself. Love what you do and transfer these emotions. Tracy talks about 5 key words that make people feel important/inspired. Acceptance, Appreciation, Admiration, Approval and Attention.
Secret 7: Leaders Are Role Models ~ To be a successful leader there are two main requirements: competence and character. You show time and time again you are excellent at what you do, you have predictable results, and you are known and respected for your integrity.
The best part about leadership is your ability to grow as a leader never ends. Take a good look at how you measure up to these 7 secrets and what changes you can make to be a better person and better leader in all parts of your life.
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