Take responsibility and be a leader!

If you are in a role where you are called a boss and or are in charge, you should be a leader.  This means many different things to different people. There are a few things is does NOT mean.  It does not mean to give orders and make people do the boring parts you do not like.  It does not mean that your opinion is the only one that matters or that you always have the answer.  You don’t.  Admit it.  Let the truth set you free!

Being a leader means knowing your people and what motivates them.  It means listening more than talking.  It means taking the time to make sure that the person you are leading feels like there is nothing that can upset your conversation.  They are the most important person.  A great example is to tell them that they have an hour and it is all theirs.  If the President calls, tell the person you are leading who is calling and that you will call them back later, they are more important.  If the President is a true leader, the President will understand.

Being a leader also means admitting your mistakes and learning from them.  Do not be afraid to tell your people that you are fallible and you need them to point out your mistakes so you can learn from them and not repeat them.  “Those who can not remember the past are doomed to repeat it”  -George Santayana.  George has it right.  Get to know the history and reasons why people made the decisions they did.  The timing and players may be different this time around, so do not be afraid to try again if the circumstances seem right.  The risk may well be worth it.  BUT!!!  TELL YOUR PEOPLE WHY YOU THINK IT IS RIGHT!!!  And for God’s sake, let your people take risks and fail without threatening to, or actually firing them!!  Nothing risked, nothing gained.  Remember that!

Being a leader means being honest.  You have to be honest with your people and, more importantly, with yourself.  Only by living your values and beliefs will you give the best of yourself.  And only by being open and honest with your people will you gain their trust and insight.  Only by being someone they have absolute confidence in will you be able to get their true potential to shine and with it, yourself.

In conclusion, I have my point of view on what makes a great leader.  I have tried to put these values in to practice with my own teams.  So far, feedback has been positive, but I know I still have a lot to learn.  Hopefully, I am learning quickly enough to have a positive impact on my team’s work and personal lives.  I certainly strive to.