MY THOUGHTS ON UNDERSTANDING LEADERSHIP
FIVE WAYS TO APPLY THESE PRINCIPLES TO MY DAY TO DAY LIFE:
Getting the right goals and heading toward the future.
Setting short term and long term goals.
Recognizing the time scale.
Clarifying goals by staying in touch and using foresight.
Getting a Mission Statement for my life and organization.
I believe true leaders are not necessarily made but born. Robert K. Greenleaf made the statement, “A mark of leaders, an attribute that puts them in a position to show the way for others, is that they are better than most at pointing the direction to go. Foresight is the “lead” that a leader has.” (Understanding Leadership pg. 10) Foresight is that intuitive knowing of where and when and what to pursue. It is an inborn insight into the unknown than just cannot be learned. Therefore this is the mark of a “born” leader, in my opinion.
Leadership requires an ability not only to have vision, but be able to instill that vision in the hearts and minds of others. This calls for not only a type of charismatic personality, but also a true motivational ability. Tom Marshall says; “If the goal does not strike a chord in the hearts of the people, they simply will not follow, and leaders without followers cease to be leaders.” (Understanding Leadership pg. 21)
The practical application of these principles in my life would be:
Evaluate my life’s Mission Statement, which should be incorporated into my organizational statement, against my goals, visions, and dreams to see if they pursue my overall goal. Direct my attentions towards those divinely placed in my life that share the vision of my heart so as to accomplish the corporate vision. Recognize that timing is vital to the pursuit of all goals. Focus on the short-term goals in order to achieve the long term ones. Remove unnecessary distraction, whether they are people or things that hinder my pursuit of these goals. Always remember life is a team effort! Look for those people to whom I can contribute to, as they pursue of their goals. There is an Old Italian saying that goes like this, “One hand washes the other, but with two hands we wash the face”. Clarifying goals requires me to keep in tune with those around me. If I am too far out in front I’ll lose those behind, if I do not stay on the “cutting edge” I’ll be left behind.
My conclusion;
I must continue to use my entire God given abilities and talents such as insight, intuition, compassion, and discernment to WOW those around me with my charismatic personality and motivational gifts! Thus being a leader that others would want to follow.