John Maxwell, author, entrepreneur, and leadership expert, once said, "A leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way."
I remember someone asking me, "Are you born with leadership, or is leadership learned?" My answer was both. Having said, "both" the question still keeps coming back to me time and time again. Over the years, I have read and taught a lot about leadership from some of the best. There is a side of me that naturally steps into a leadership role because I am wired in this way.
In this post, I want to share with you ten surprising but not so surprising facts on leadership that I have learned over the years.
Fact 1: Leaders have the desire to grow.
Leaders are people who are consistently are looking for ways to grow. Either in their specific field of interest or not so familiar areas. Leaders are willing to expand their knowledge capacity.
Fact 2: Leaders take the time to read.
Not everyone is a reader, but leaders push themselves to read and keep the edge of the knife sharp. Leaders read on topics that help them to stay well-rounded and also hone their skill sets.
Fact 3: Leaders are self-starters.
As a leader of leaders, it is essential leaders on the team are self-starters. They can motivate themselves on an intrinsic level. This brings a more profound sense of ownership and purpose.
Fact 4: Leaders manage and recognize their emotional Intelligence.
Emotional Intelligence is one area that all leaders can grow. Emotional Intelligence is about having empathy, relationships, self-awareness, collaboration, communication, and self-confidence. Is there one that sticks out to you the most that need some work?
Fact 5: Leaders set the course and goals of the organization.
As a leader, where are you headed? Leaders know the direction they are headed. Leaders have a vision of where they see the organization going. When the vision is set, it is crucial to set out goals to reach and see the dream come to life. By placing a vision and goals give the organization a plan on where they need to focus.
Fact 6: Leaders do what they only can do and share the responsibility with others.
I had someone ask me, "Paul, what is it that you can only do?" "When you know the answer, you need to start getting the things on your plate that others can do and share the responsibility with them." As leaders, we were never meant to do everything by ourselves. Make a list of all the things you are doing and begin delegating responsibility to others who can help.
Fact 7: Leaders take time to coach their team members.
Take the time to speak to your team but more importantly, let your team know that you are cheering them on as they are trying new things. Be the leader, mentor, coach that you wish you had in your life.
Fact 8: Leaders give of their time.
Giving of our time as leaders shows that we care and support the organization we are a part of. There have been studies that that proven leaders grow more when they step into a leadership role. However, it is also crucial as a leader that you take the time to invest in your volunteer leaders who are helping move the organization forward.
I remember someone asking me, "Are you born with leadership, or is leadership learned?" My answer was both. Having said, "both" the question still keeps coming back to me time and time again. Over the years, I have read and taught a lot about leadership from some of the best. There is a side of me that naturally steps into a leadership role because I am wired in this way.
In this post, I want to share with you ten surprising but not so surprising facts on leadership that I have learned over the years.
Fact 1: Leaders have the desire to grow.
Leaders are people who are consistently are looking for ways to grow. Either in their specific field of interest or not so familiar areas. Leaders are willing to expand their knowledge capacity.
Fact 2: Leaders take the time to read.
Not everyone is a reader, but leaders push themselves to read and keep the edge of the knife sharp. Leaders read on topics that help them to stay well-rounded and also hone their skill sets.
Fact 3: Leaders are self-starters.
As a leader of leaders, it is essential leaders on the team are self-starters. They can motivate themselves on an intrinsic level. This brings a more profound sense of ownership and purpose.
Fact 4: Leaders manage and recognize their emotional Intelligence.
Emotional Intelligence is one area that all leaders can grow. Emotional Intelligence is about having empathy, relationships, self-awareness, collaboration, communication, and self-confidence. Is there one that sticks out to you the most that need some work?
Fact 5: Leaders set the course and goals of the organization.
As a leader, where are you headed? Leaders know the direction they are headed. Leaders have a vision of where they see the organization going. When the vision is set, it is crucial to set out goals to reach and see the dream come to life. By placing a vision and goals give the organization a plan on where they need to focus.
Fact 6: Leaders do what they only can do and share the responsibility with others.
I had someone ask me, "Paul, what is it that you can only do?" "When you know the answer, you need to start getting the things on your plate that others can do and share the responsibility with them." As leaders, we were never meant to do everything by ourselves. Make a list of all the things you are doing and begin delegating responsibility to others who can help.
Fact 7: Leaders take time to coach their team members.
Take the time to speak to your team but more importantly, let your team know that you are cheering them on as they are trying new things. Be the leader, mentor, coach that you wish you had in your life.
Fact 8: Leaders give of their time.
Giving of our time as leaders shows that we care and support the organization we are a part of. There have been studies that that proven leaders grow more when they step into a leadership role. However, it is also crucial as a leader that you take the time to invest in your volunteer leaders who are helping move the organization forward.
Fact 9: Leaders encourage the team.
Create an environment and culture of encouragement. No one wants to be on a team that has a bunch of complainers. Take time to write a note of thanks or even take a team member to coffee or lunch. Find out what is going to encourage your team and unlock their full potential.
Fact 10: Leaders own their mistakes and share them with others.
We started with leaders who need to be growing. It is just as important that as a leader, you own your mistakes and let others know that you made a mistake. Show the team or the leadership that it is okay to make mistakes and learn from them. Don't shy away from letting others know that you blew it.
What other leadership facts would you add to this list?
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