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Why We Need Great Leaders in Today's Complex World
Rev. Dr. Kitty Boitnott, NBCT, RScP
Heart-Centered Career Transition & Job Search Coach
Traditionally, we have looked to our leaders to set good examples. We tend to hold them to higher standards than we may hold ourselves. And we want them to inspire us to be better ourselves.
When what they do and what they say are in sync, they become a person that others are willing to follow. When leaders say one thing but do another, they destroy trust.
And trust is a crucial part of the foundation of effective leadership.
Do you aspire to become a leader?
The truth is you are already a leader in some area of your life. It may be at home, in your workplace, or your community. You may not always be aware of it, but others are watching you. Do you set a good example that they might want to follow?
There are dozens of way to develop leadership skills.
I want to offer a few of the most foundational ones here for your consideration. If you would like to learn more about how to be a leader in today's complex world, I am offering a mini-course on that very topic.
But for now, take a look at this list of 10 things every leader should do.
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Take responsibility. Harry Truman said, "The buck stops here." Real leaders don't scapegoat. They don't blame others for failure. They take responsibility even when it may not be their fault that something didn't work. If you are the leader and something has gone awry on your watch, own it. Fix it. Don't shift the blame. Take responsibility.
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Always tell the truth. It is an old saying that "honesty is the best policy." We live in a world right now in which some people seem to like to ignore reality. They offer "alternative facts." The result is that they destroy their credibility, however. Tell the truth, even when it may hurt. If you are always honest, you won't have to try to cover your tracks.
- Be courageous. It is difficult sometimes being a leader. You must show by example, and that sometimes means doing something difficult. Take heart. By confirming your ability to be courageous, you inspire others to do the same.
- Own it and acknowledge it when you fail. No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. Being honest about it when you fall short of your goal is the mark of a leader. Don't hide it. Don't try to cover it up. If you are a leader, you need to set the tone. Own your failures. Learn from the mistakes. And move on.
- Develop persistence. When you first don't succeed, try, try again. That was something I learned in school. Don't let any obstacles or challenges stand in the way of pursuing your dream, whatever it may be. The only people who never fail are the ones who don't keep trying until they succeed.
- Be creative. Look for positive solutions instead of complaining about the problems all the time. Leaders look for ways to work around challenges and obstacles. Don't feel bound by the way things have always been. Look for new ways of doing something.
- Listen, listen, listen. Listen and ask questions. Don't assume anything. Don't kid yourself by thinking you know everything. Stephen Covey said, "Seek first to understand and then be understood." That means that you must listen before you talk. You need to understand the situation from every perspective if you are the leader. That way, you can make the best decisions.
- Delegate responsibilities. Observe members of your team. Notice what different individuals do well. Where might they shine if they were given a particular assignment? Give them a chance to prove themselves. Don't micromanage them, though. Give them some space. Trust that they can come up with something better than you might have.
- Practice self-care.Take lots of breaks. Take time to exercise every day. Enjoy your life. Great leaders aren't just about work. They also set an example for how to live enjoyable and happy lives! They have thriving families, hobbies that they enjoy, and they are well-adjusted mentally and emotionally. For all that to happen, you must take care of yourself and make self-care a personal priority.
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Lead by example. The greatest leaders are those who were willing to lead by example. Show your heart. Be available. Share your goals and let others help you get where you want to go. Consider the leaders who have inspired you throughout your life. What might you learn from their example?
The bottom line is we need more leaders in our world who are willing to demonstrate integrity, honesty, humility, humor, and self-awareness. To me, those are the traits of great leaders. The world is hungry for those kinds of leaders. Do you have the capacity to become a great leader? Do you want to learn how to become a more effective leader in today's complex world?
If the answer to any of those questions is "yes," you may have an interest in the mini-course I have developed that is focused on the skills one needs to be a leader in today's complex world.
To learn more about the program, click here: https://kittyboitnott.coachesconsole.com/leadership-in-today-s-complex-world.html.
Until tonight at midnight, you can get this course with its seven modules and nine bonuses for only $27 instead of the $97 it will be starting tomorrow.
If you aspire to be a great leader or you want to improve your leadership skills for work, home or your community, check this program out. This is the last time it will be offered at this low introductory price.
Until next time.
P. S.
Have you listened to the "Teachers in Transition" Podcast yet? If not, I would like to invite you to do so. Last week I talked about what drives people to make the career choices they do. The week before, I covered why not all stress is bad. I alternate topics each week between stress management techniques and career transition strategies.
If you want to give it, a listen, click here for iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teachers-in-transition/id1460021639 or here for Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kittzbcomastnet/teachers-in-transition.
Please subscribe and leave a review or a question. I would love to have you join my Podcast community! If you prefer to watch YouTube, the same content is there under the title, "Teachers in Transition." Please subscribe to my YouTube channel as well!
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