This weeks
Article....
Life without
Leaders
Can groups function without
leadership?
One of my connections
on
LinkedIn
posed an interesting
question that got me thinking.
Can a Leaderless
Organization Succeed?
It really got everyone
thinking about what Leadership really is.
Whether you’re a manager, salesperson or
employee this can have an impact on you
and your future.
So what is this Leadership
concept all about? What makes one person
a leader and others a follower? Which are
you and why? ……
The person who posed the
question is a “Futurist” by the name
of
Frank
Feather, from
Toronto, Canada.
With the changes in
technology, how companies are linked
through this technology and cultural
changes is Leadership still the
same?
There are well over
30 responses
to Frank’s question, with
about as many views. So as a salesperson,
manager or employee how do we rate as a
leader? Here are a few points to
ponder.
Responsibility:
You have talents, knowledge and skills. When
they are needed by the organization to get
things done, do you step forward and offer
them? When you do apply your abilities, do
you also take responsibility for the
outcome? The Leader does, others usually
hold back, blame, point fingers or other
none productive activity.
Trust in
others: This is the one challenge seen
in many smaller business owners. The owner
feels they need to do it all; even if they
are no good at “it”. Thus they spend time
and energy doing things they should not be
doing while the areas where their real
talent could blossom, is left to flounder.
Leaders trust others and allow them to apply
their talents for the good of the group and
vision. Are you willing to delegate to
others and allow them to get it done their
way?
Vision:
Many followers have a challenge seeing the
big picture or the future view. The ability
to see past today’s issues and problems and
present this future to others is a very
strong leadership ability. Salespeople need
to apply this skill everyday when working
with their clients; at least the high
producers do! Managers and even parents can
provide stronger leadership by communicating
the vision on a regular basis. People need
something to buy into, can you communicate a
vision?
Courage:
This can be a big one! When the question is
asked, are you the one that wants to stand
up, yet doesn’t and talks about the issue in
the hall? Leaders are motivated by filling a
need. Ego can also be part of it, yet good
leaders have more than just Ego at work.
Everyone has barriers to cross or overcome.
When people can see a vision on the other
side and someone to cross that barrier
first, they will follow! Social Acceptance
and group think behavior require one person
to take the first action. Then the rest
follow!
Listening:
Yes there can be a group of one with the one
as the leader. Even in this situation the
leader has to listen to their inner self as
well as the environment around them. The
ability to really listen to others and
understand not just the words, but the
feelings and emotions as well, gives a
leader insight. This insight can provide
motivation, solutions and teamwork that
might otherwise be overlooked. When you
listen, what do you hear? Just the words or
do you get a much deeper understanding of
the person and who they
are?
Problem
Solving: Once more this is a skill area
that many feel needs to be kept close to the
vest. They may be concerned about how others
may view them, seem weak or not a real
leader if they can not solve the problem on
their own. In reality no one has all the
answers. Being able to pull in a
multiplicity of ideas, have a conversation
about these ideas and then acting upon the
best is a leadership skill of the highest
caliber. This takes all of the previous
mentioned attributes to carry
out.
Awareness:
Are we so busy some days we don’t even know
what time it is much less what day it is
anymore? Leaders understand they have to
step back and view the landscape in order to
avoid being drawn into the “busyness” of the
day. As you listen to your inner voice, is
it saying “I have to get this done now” or
is it saying “What is the most important
thing I should be doing now?”. As a
salesperson are we focusing on just the next
sale, or are we looking longer term for our
customers and company? As managers, are we
looking just at the desk full in front of us
or are we able to see past the “workload”
and seek solutions?
There is more to just these
skills and attitudes to be a leader, yet
everyone has the opportunity to be one
and reap the rewards that come with
it.
It simply takes a choice on
your part!
It simply takes a choice to
step out past where you are
today!
It simply takes a choice to
take action when the feeling says you
should!
Ponder it for
today.
Looking forward to seeing
you as a leader!
Harlan Goerger
©
Harlan Goerger
4-2008
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