Leadership...what ever you do..

I have been busy this week with the restructuring, I have lost my appetite for this business at present, we still have a great product and a future, but It has just been very tiring. I have a lot going round my head at present but not in a suitable format to commit to the blog world yet..when it is I will deliver it...I am just looking forward to 4pm today to go home and switch off. There has been one idea that has been at the fore front of my thoughts and that is leadership, I have spoken about it in the past, but it is something that is so important in the running of the business that I thought it would be a good subject to close with this week....I see Anne Nicole Smith passed away yesterday....I always thought that there is a waste of a life, she had money and she had leadership power as well from the life style she led and the money she has, I did think she could have seriously helped the 1000's of woman caught in the sex industry to move on.....but she never had a good model of leadership herself to follow she did not know how to move out and influence and develop her own leadership for the good of mankind. There is a lack of great leadership in the world, sit and name 10 great leaders you know at present who are bringing benefit to mankind and really making a difference and creating true value and meaning...I do envy people like Rob Smorfitt http://main-spring.blogspot.com/ he works in South Africa here the start up model is different...pay him a visit...he is one of the guys who creates meaning and value..

So to the post on Leadership...

An article from George F. Franks, he is the President of Franks Consulting Group, a Bethesda, Maryland based management consultancy, he brings out some good ideas in a relaxed way.


Leadership
Encompasses the topic from supervision to CEO level and everything in between.
Steps to More Effective Leadership
By George F. Franks, III

Leaders, whether supervisors or chief executives, face many of the same daily challenges. How leaders respond to these challenges differentiates average or even good leaders from great leaders. Anyone can be a better leader. Following the points outlined below is there first step to improving your leadership effectiveness.
Listen
A big part of every leader’s job is to listen. Many leaders are very poor listeners. An effective leader must learn to listen: to employees, customers or clients, professional peers and others. The more a leader listens, the more she will have better points of reference for any issue or decision that arises.
Communicate
Some leaders like to talk to groups. Others like to talk to individuals. And others prefer letters or e-mails. There is no one right way to communicate. The point is to communicate. It must be direct, clear and to the point. Say what you mean. It is easy to get caught up in business or professional jargon. Regardless of the audience, make sure you communicate thoughtfully and clearly.
Decisions: Gut vs. Analysis
The MBA revolution has produced many business leaders who require mountains of data and reports to make even the smallest decision. There is a growing movement among leaders to “go with the gut” when it comes to decisions large and small. Is there a right way to make decisions? Frankly, the best decisions evolve from some level of analysis plus experience (or “gut” instinct). The point is to make decisions. Make them often. Too may leaders today avoid making decisions and defer to teams, committees and task forces. While input may come from these bodies, ultimately the leader should make the final decision.
Example
Most great leaders have someone they look up to – whether an historical figure or a mentor. A model for leadership is not only valuable – it is essential. At the same time, every leader – regardless of position or stature – should mentor others and serve as an example. An effective leader will want others to live up to and carry on their style and techniques in the future.
Priorities
Every leader wakes up every day with a “to do list”. Some items on the list are at their discretion. Others are imposed by others: customers, investors, subordinates, other external or internal bodies. Are you a prisoner to someone else’s priorities for your day? It is up to the leader to insure that every block of “work time” every day focuses on actions essential to meeting and exceeding the short and long term objectives of the office or position. This does not mean no time with family or to exercise or to socialize. What it does mean is that working hours – whether from 8-5 or from 5-8 should be focused and deliberately spent on activities which will serve – in the end – to meet and exceed specific performance objectives.
Be True to Yourself
Imitating Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Nancy Pelosi or Hillary Clinton will not serve any aspiring leader well. Your style of speaking, dress and more evolved from your family background, education and career-to-date. Be yourself. By imitating the gestures, speech patterns, attire or other mannerisms of someone who is famous, you are only making yourself a caricature of that person – and that does not translate into effective leadership.
Walk the Talk
Today one only has to look at the front page of any newspaper to see examples in business, government and the non-profit world of leaders who are not role models. These leaders are the height of “do as I say, don’t do as I do”. Leadership by example should be one of the most fundamental goals for leaders at all levels regardless of their profession or field. Employees at all levels perform better for leaders who “walk the talk”.
Leaders are everywhere. And yet great leaders are rare. Our society rewards those who lie, cheat and steal – to and from employees, investors, constituents and customers. The fundamentals of effective leadership are attainable by every woman and man who has the courage, self-discipline and integrity to follow these simple – yet challenging principles.




Leadership = Power to influence
Power = No of Followers



Slainte


Gordon