Page 1 - Leadership - The Five Best Practices
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dership
The five practices
Leadership is everyone’s business
Model the way George S. Patton's "Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do
Inspire a shared vision and let them surprise you with their results." Great leaders don't just lead;
Challenge the process they bring out the best in everybody else too’.
Enable others to act
Encourage the heart “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.”
“The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to
do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them
while they do it. “ Theodore Roosevelt
The above statements are so true. leadership truly has got nothing to do
with position – A leader is somebody who finds the best solution in any
situation - a solution which benefits one and all. A situation creates a
leader whom the world gets to know. Through the strength of their vision
and personality, transformational leaders are able to inspire followers to
change expectations, perceptions and motivations to work towards
common goals. Doing the right things – that is what we tend to forget when
we become part of this world. The definition of right changes in context.
Model the way: Clarify values by finding your voice and affirming shared ideas. Set the example by aligning actions with
shared values. To model the way as a leader one has to be sure of the way, has to believe in it. Practice what you preach
applies well here. Clarity and knowledge is a must for a good leader. When people look upon you and you want them to
accept your ideas you have to consciously depict and showcase them for visibility. Do what you say you will do
Inspire a Shared vision: Envision the future by imagining exciting and ennobling possibilities. Enlist others in a common
vision by appealing to shared aspirations. Everyone involved has to relate with the vision. To share a vision, make sure it
appears like the teams vision and not your individual alone. Even if it is your vision – give credit to the team. The values of
the vision have to be clear to one and all. The vision has to have a good element associated with it. If it appears self
centered it will not be accepted.
Challenge the process: Search the opportunities by seizing the initiative and by looking outward for innovative ways to
improve .Experiment and take risks by constantly generating small wins and learning from experiences. This is true – it is
leaders who will challenge the process, others will just go with the flow. Change is mandatory for growth. Innovation and a
way around. This also keeps everyone on the toes. There is an element of adventure – which is motivating. Monotony only
kills innovation. A good leader will challenge the process not just to prove a point but make a productive and positive
change.
Enable others to Act: Foster collaboration by building trust and facilitating relationships. Strengthen others by increasing
self determination and developing competence. No job can be accomplished alone. And the best guy cannot do all the jobs.
A good leader will enable others to act. To do so you have to know the team members, followers well. Highlight the qualities
of each member and delegate tasks per there qualification and expertise. The participant should feel Important. Appreciation
and trust both have to go hand in hand. False hopes and praises should be avoided. A rude truth is better than sweet lie.
Once you know the team members and their qualification and aspirational level – you can help them act and deliver. Nothing
tastes better then success. Each success should be celebrated.
Encourage the heart: Recognise contributions by showing appreciation for individual excellence. Celebrate the values and
victories by creating a spirit of community. A leader is accepted only if the followers feel from the heart. They deliver for a
common objective without fear but just respect and love. This spirit has to be generated by the leader. Teach them to feel
and think. Trust and faith and comradeship are outcomes of a good heart.
Reflections on leadership submitted by the author in Jun 2010
The five practices
Leadership is everyone’s business
Model the way George S. Patton's "Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do
Inspire a shared vision and let them surprise you with their results." Great leaders don't just lead;
Challenge the process they bring out the best in everybody else too’.
Enable others to act
Encourage the heart “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.”
“The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to
do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them
while they do it. “ Theodore Roosevelt
The above statements are so true. leadership truly has got nothing to do
with position – A leader is somebody who finds the best solution in any
situation - a solution which benefits one and all. A situation creates a
leader whom the world gets to know. Through the strength of their vision
and personality, transformational leaders are able to inspire followers to
change expectations, perceptions and motivations to work towards
common goals. Doing the right things – that is what we tend to forget when
we become part of this world. The definition of right changes in context.
Model the way: Clarify values by finding your voice and affirming shared ideas. Set the example by aligning actions with
shared values. To model the way as a leader one has to be sure of the way, has to believe in it. Practice what you preach
applies well here. Clarity and knowledge is a must for a good leader. When people look upon you and you want them to
accept your ideas you have to consciously depict and showcase them for visibility. Do what you say you will do
Inspire a Shared vision: Envision the future by imagining exciting and ennobling possibilities. Enlist others in a common
vision by appealing to shared aspirations. Everyone involved has to relate with the vision. To share a vision, make sure it
appears like the teams vision and not your individual alone. Even if it is your vision – give credit to the team. The values of
the vision have to be clear to one and all. The vision has to have a good element associated with it. If it appears self
centered it will not be accepted.
Challenge the process: Search the opportunities by seizing the initiative and by looking outward for innovative ways to
improve .Experiment and take risks by constantly generating small wins and learning from experiences. This is true – it is
leaders who will challenge the process, others will just go with the flow. Change is mandatory for growth. Innovation and a
way around. This also keeps everyone on the toes. There is an element of adventure – which is motivating. Monotony only
kills innovation. A good leader will challenge the process not just to prove a point but make a productive and positive
change.
Enable others to Act: Foster collaboration by building trust and facilitating relationships. Strengthen others by increasing
self determination and developing competence. No job can be accomplished alone. And the best guy cannot do all the jobs.
A good leader will enable others to act. To do so you have to know the team members, followers well. Highlight the qualities
of each member and delegate tasks per there qualification and expertise. The participant should feel Important. Appreciation
and trust both have to go hand in hand. False hopes and praises should be avoided. A rude truth is better than sweet lie.
Once you know the team members and their qualification and aspirational level – you can help them act and deliver. Nothing
tastes better then success. Each success should be celebrated.
Encourage the heart: Recognise contributions by showing appreciation for individual excellence. Celebrate the values and
victories by creating a spirit of community. A leader is accepted only if the followers feel from the heart. They deliver for a
common objective without fear but just respect and love. This spirit has to be generated by the leader. Teach them to feel
and think. Trust and faith and comradeship are outcomes of a good heart.
Reflections on leadership submitted by the author in Jun 2010
