Posts tagged: servant leadership

Leadership Definition

February 16, 2010, by No comments yet

Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration, motivated by a passion, generated by a vision, produced by a conviction, and ignited by a purpose.

As defined at a Diversity Champions Workshop by Guardian Quest

List of Ten Things We Want Most in Life

November 20, 2009, by No comments yet
  1. Opportunity to succeed (43%)
  2. The good life (37%)
  3. The pursuit of happiness (34%)
  4. The American dream (22%)
  5. A fair shake (17%)
  6. To be left alone (13%)
  7. A fresh start (9%)
  8. Everything I can get (9%)
  9. A fighting chance (8%)
  10. A new beginning (8%)

The American dream has been dropping on the list because young people don’t think they will ever achieve it.  Wanting the good life has moved up in its place.

Source:  Dr Frank Luntz, Luntz-Malansky Strategic Research 2009

List of Ten Trust Behaviors

November 17, 2009, by No comments yet
  1. Communicate. Clearly let others know what you and they can expect
  2. Listen. Listen more than you talk
  3. Follow-through.  Keep your promises and expectations
  4. Own-up.  When you or a subordinate fall short take personal accountability
  5. Trust.  You have to trust others for them to trust you
  6. Respect.  Respect others regardless of their position
  7. WYSIWYG.  Be a what you see is what you get person
  8. Loyalty.  Be loyal to others and they will trust you
  9. Empathize.  Good or bad put yourself in their shoes
  10. Recognize.  Remember the small thing

Prepare for the Warrior

November 12, 2009, by No comments yet

There comes a point in everyone’s life when they determine the veracity of their character.  Some may think they know, but not until pressed by hardship, fear or heartache will they really know.  All other times are spent in preparation.  When the moment of trial comes will you be irrelevant, expendable, a fighter, or a warrior?

“Out of every 100 men, ten shouldn’t even be there, Eighty are just targets, Nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.” – Hericletus, circa 500 BC

Prepare to be a fighter and the leader will become a warrior when most needed.  Anything less is a wasted opportunity to matter.

Point Guard College Leadership

November 4, 2009, by No comments yet

My daughter attended an elite basketball camp this past summer.  Last night she let me have a peek into her notes binder.  I was impressed with the level of time and instruction given to training leadership to these athlete.  The implication is they will be called on to influence their teammates and fans. The three aspects of leadership taught on day one:

1.  Doing extra.  If you want to be a leader, you must expect to do more

2.  Energy.  Transfer energy through enthusiasm and joy

3.  Influence.  lead others by being a servant

Manager and Leader

November 3, 2009, by No comments yet

The manager administers, the leader innovates

The manager maintains, the leader develops

The manager relies on systems, the leader relies on people

The manager counts on controls, the leader counts on trust

The manager does things right, the leader does the right thing

- Fortune Magazine

There is some debate about the attributes of leaders and those of managers.  Some interchange the titles making any leader also a manger and manager leader. Everyone has an opinion based on their job description, corporate culture, personal preference, and so on.

My belief is that  anyone in a position to influence people is both leader and manager.  Lower level positions will manage more than they lead, perhaps 60% management/40% leadership.  The higher you climb in your organization the more leadership competencies used; a CEO might be 20%  manager/80% leader.

The leader who can balance the appropriate level of management skills while leading subordinates through vision, innovation, and trust is the catalyst for organizational excellence, regardless of their position on the corporate ladder.