Why Not Establish Key Elements for Leadership Success?

"If your actions inspire others to dream more,
learn more,
do more and become more,
you are a leader."
John Quincy Adams

Leadership is more than just a title or a position. Comprised of numerous and often undefined facets, leaders struggle until they define some simple, fundamental elements that can help to focus energy and talent around those leadership components that will have a positive impact on their business. For me, there are five elements that can help set apart the mediocre from the extraordinary in terms of leadership that can lead to ultimate business and life success.

1. Results centered. The results centered person has not only clearly defined objectives and goals for themselves, but they always communicate and clarify those results to key stakeholders.
2. Influence people. Not through coercion or manipulation, instead, the successful leader has the ability to inspire others to get on board with the key desired results.
   
3. Initiate and manage change. not waiting until the year end financials or customer service complaints arrive, successful leaders proactively measure and monitor consistently employee and customer interests and satisfaction.
4. Business acumen. Understanding the critical elements of their business, successful leaders have an understanding of their products and/or services, as well as their roles and responsibilities.
   
5. Build partnerships & teams. Leaders appreciate that without followers there is no need for leadership. Establishing strong relationships, selecting the right employees, the right partners and the right customers takes skill and talent.
   

Being labeled The Leader can be a daunting responsibility. Establishing key elements can help successful leaders focus time, talent and energy towards cultivating attributes that can lead to thriving relationships, growing business and sustainable communities. I thought I would share with you my key elements. Now, I am interested in learning what others identify as those key elements that have led them to business success.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Voices of Leaders that Have Lead

When faced with conflicts or indecision, James Allen recommended that

"Circumstances don't make a person, they reveal him."

When faced with outright fear, Andrew Jackson reminds us that

"One man with courage makes a majority."

When taking ourselves way too seriously, Queen Elizabeth suggests

Let us not take ourselves too seriously.
None of us has a monopoly on wisdom.

When faced with leadership challenges, be advised by Lao Tzu...

"Go to the people, Learn from them. Live with them.
Start with what they know. Build with what they have.
The best leader when the jo is done, when the task is accomplished,
the people will say we have done it ourselves."

When frustrated in living your dreams, learn from W. B. Yeats to share...

"I have spread my dreams beneath your feet.
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams."

Be Courageous, Be Extraordinary

"If you wait to do everything until you're sure it's right, you'll probably never do much of anything."

Win Borden

Certain times caution makes a lot of sense. The sad part about caution is we are conditioned to believe that it is better to be cautious rather than courageous. Let's face it, from the time we are small children, once we encouaged to learn to walk, we are encouraged to play it safe.The "do not's" far outweigh the "do's." Be honest, when was the last time you were encouraged to do something risky or different?

How can we turn around the images that hold us back from being courageous and being extraordinary?

Identify what courage means to you. Use your five senses to imagine what courage looks like, feels like, tastes like, sounds like and yes even smells. The wonderful mind can and will hold a powerful image if it becomes powerful enough.

Next, create a tangible, motivating image, complete with positive words, sounds, textures and smells. The more vividly and powerfully the senses are engaged, the greater the chance of success.

As with changing any belief, actively writing goals and action plans will ensure that the change will become a permanent and beneficial habit. One of my goals is to identify at least 3 images that will help me to feel and think how am couageous and extraordinary - the image of the kitten and the lion is a start. Now I have at least 2 more go - at least it's a start.

Today, let's be courageous and be extraordinary!