There is a steady flow of information in the form of books, articles, white papers, and training, all in the context of 'what is leadership' or 'how to develop a leader.' In this issue, I will avoid those two questions and write about two others that I believe might be on the minds of a lot of you readers, and they are:
Why does better leadership make a difference? And how does better leadership achieve those differences?
Leadership is a unique form of human behavior that requires the integration of character, knowledge, and experience. So what can you do if you step up and unleash your leadership potential? Change the world.
Your journey to unleashing your leadership potential begins with a great understanding of self. First, discover your personality traits and how they relate to leadership. When we know ourselves, we can maximize our positive traits and become aware of our weaker areas, which helps us to achieve our leadership potential. Once you understand and know yourself, you must hone your communication skills. These are not limited to your public speaking skills either. This includes your writing style and your body language. Your ability to communicate effectively enhances your ability to improve interpersonal relationships. Another essential skill is learning how to learn. Examine different teaching methods and learning styles to identify how you and those you may lead know best. This skill will significantly enhance your ability to make decisions and give clear instructions.
An Exceptional Leader recognizes the value of harnessing the skills and abilities of team members and leads them toward greater efficiency and effectiveness.
And so the leader is not a title, and leadership is not something you are born into. Leadership is something you develop.
In his book "The Heart of A Leader, " Dr. Ken Blanchard" had to say about good leaders; "If you want to know why your people are not performing well, step up to the mirror and take a peek."