Today, more than any time in our history, we need
effective leadership. Whether it’s in
the White House or in a state house, we need leaders who are capable of finding
solutions to the astonishing array of problems we face, and the vision to
anticipate and mitigate the unknown future problems that await us.
The list of problems facing us in the 21st
century is daunting. From climate change
to transnational threats such as pandemics and the proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction to the dislocations and disruptions caused by globalization,
humanity’s survival will depend on leadership that can chart a course through
an uncertain and turbulent sea of constant change.
We no longer have the luxury to wait for the
emergence of a great leader to take the helm.
Each of us must take responsibility for effective leadership in our own
little corner of the world. The
aggregate effect of all these little effective corners of transformational
leadership can move spaceship earth into a safe trajectory and off the path to
chaos and destruction.
The good news in all this is that, with a little
effort, we can all be effective leaders.
Remember, a house is built brick by brick or board by board. By applying the following techniques of
effective leadership, we can build a strong and enduring structure.
The
7 keys to effective leadership
-
Put people first. People are the most important asset of any
organization. The U.S. military’s motto
is “Mission first, People always.” This
is an explicit recognition that without people, nothing is accomplished.
-
Encourage
risk taking and innovation.
Organizations that stick to the ‘tried and true’ often stagnate. Progress comes only through moving into
uncharted territory and trying new things.
Identify and reward the risk takers and innovators in your organization.
-
Embrace
change. Change
is a constant in life; in fact, the only constant. To be an effective leader, you should not
only embrace change, you should promote it.
-
Emphasize
honesty and integrity. The
most technically competent people who lack honesty and integrity are little
more than charlatans. If an organization
is to prosper and endure, it must exude trust, and the integrity of an
organization is a function of the honesty and integrity of every member of that
organization.
-
Establish
open communications. Knowledge
is the key to power and success. As a
leader, it is essential that you have access to the knowledge of those around
you. An atmosphere of open, candid
communication provides you the knowledge to make effective decisions.
-
Foster
a learning environment. Each
decade, science and technology increases exponentially. Learning should be a life-long pursuit. In addition to continually learning yourself,
as a leader, you should encourage your subordinates to constantly upgrade their
own skills and knowledge.
-
Be
a team builder. No
man is an island. Except for certain
works of art, nothing is created without the effort of a number of individuals
working together. Leverage the diversity
and different talents within your organization through the creation of teams.
When building a house, there are a number of ways to
put on the finishing touches to make the house unique. But, whether it’s a skyscraper or a summer
cottage, it is essential that it have a strong foundation. These seven principles form the basic
foundation upon which a solid leadership structure can be constructed.
References:
Abrashoff, Captain D. Michael, It’s Your Ship: Management
Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy, New York, Business Plus
(Hachette Book Group), 2002
Bennis, Warren,
Managing People is Like Herding Cats,
Provo, Utah, Executive Excellence Publishing, 1999
Blaber, Pete,
The Mission, The Men, and Me: Lessons
from a former Delta Force Commander, New York, Berkley Caliber, 2008
Johnson, Spencer, Who Moved My Cheese?, New York, G. P.
Putnam, 1998
Oakley, Ed, and Doug Krug, Leadership made Simple:
Practical Solutions to Your Greatest Management Challenges, Centennial,
CO, Executive Leadership Solutions, 2006
Ray, Charles, Things
I Learned from My Grandmother About Leadership and Life, Baltimore, MD,
PublishAmerica, 2008
_______, Taking
Charge: Effective Leadership for the
Twenty-first Century, Baltimore, MD, PublishAmerica, 2009
Smith, Perry, Rules
& Tools for Leaders: A Down-to-Earth
Guide to Effective Managing, New York, Penguin Books, 1998
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