I found this post from Ed Brenegar from Leading Questions very interesting….. Here are some snippets from the post that caught my eye:
EXCELLENCE
“Leadership is first and foremost a quality of an individual…….So, the first step along the path to leadership is to recognize that leadership is a product of character, not just skills and techniques of style.”
INITIATIVE
“leadership is focused upon the action of the leader. Leadership requires actions. Without action there is no leadership, and yet to often the “leader” does not act, and his
passivity stands in contrast to the other members of the organization. Leadership action is most clearly defined in the personal initiative that a leader must make. This action takes place in three
areas – with people, through ideas, in organizational structures.”“People: A leader initiates toward people to establish collaborative relationships that allow for the same leadership initiative to develop in the other. The character of the relationship is marked by honesty, respect and trust. The collaborative nature of the relationship develops when both individuals recognize that there is a mutuality or sharedness to their relationship.”
Ideas: A leader initiates toward people using ideas as a tool for not only communicating, but for establishing purpose, focus and a vision for the relationships………It is the leader’s responsibility to initiate the conversation that establishes a common understanding of what the purpose and goals of the organization are.· And it is the leader’s responsibility to act as a interpreter of the vision.· Ideas without communication are dead, and communication that does not lead to action is self-indulgent.· As a result, the initiative that a leader takes is
to constantly move from the abstract to the concrete, from the conceptual to the practice, from the idea to action.”Organizational Structure: A leader initiates within an organizational structure or setting. The purpose of this structure is not organizational perpetuation, though sustainability is a by-product. Organizational structures exist as a vehicle for enhancement and fulfillment of the collaborative nature of human relationships.
IMPACT
The focal point of leadership is impact. In other words, leaders focus on creating change so that individual and organizational purpose can be fulfilled……Organizations are a reflection of their people. If they lack the character of excellence, so will the organization.
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