DestinHaus LLC is a global Management Consulting Company that specializes on transforming businesses by transforming their culture. We focus on "Shaping the present to create a better future." We transform the culture of businesses through a razor-sharp focus on Business Strategy, Organizational Effectiveness, Commercial Excellence and Leadership Development.
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Sunday, November 1, 2009
Leadership
What are the key qualities of enduring leaders? Would welcome relevant true stories.
Recently, I was at a seminar on Leadership conducted by my company (DestinHaus LLC). It was in Japan, at the Asian Headquarters of a German company. The President of that division (He has 16,000 people working for him) came downstairs to the lobby to receive us and he personally made sure we got everything we needed to get set-up in the conference room. He earned my respect immediately. What a great example of "Servant Leadership." It took only a few minutes of his time but it was a great gesture on his part. Humility is the hallmark of excellence.
You're absolutely right Murli - true leaders engender trust in their followers and inspire them so they WANT to perform and to follow that leadership. Beyond consistency and ethical conduct, it also means that true leaders understand that everything they do is ultimately a choice. They mindfully choose their actions and even the attitude they convey to others. Especially in times of stress, one's true leadership potential is often revealed in how we choose to behave and the attitude we convey.
Someone once said that true leadership translates to "grace under pressure". I think that proves true, but even moreso "grace by example." Francis of Assisi agreed to spend a day with one of his students who had asked to learn from his preachings. They spent the day among the sick and destitute. All day long Francis just comforted the sick, helped them with simple chores, and listened to the poor, giving them some bread he had with him, and the shirt off his back. At the end of the day, the student asked Francis, "Why did you not preach?" He answered, "To the contrary I preached all day."
True leadership is being there for your team. Not forgetting that you enjoy the privileges of leadership and the limelight due to the good work done by the team members however lower down the totem pole they may be. Servant leadership will stand the test of time always. Its amazing to see how many leaders forget about this and don't take the time to thank people, acknowledge people and such. Facing up to a crisis, rolling up your sleeve and providing the right environment for individuals to do their best work and instilling a sense of pride in every team member is what leaders should do. Setting direction, providing the right environment and tools to succeed and steering the ship when necessary (so no micro managing) to change course are all qualities I expect to see in a good leader.
Recently, I was at a seminar on Leadership conducted by my company (DestinHaus LLC). It was in Japan, at the Asian Headquarters of a German company. The President of that division (He has 16,000 people working for him) came downstairs to the lobby to receive us and he personally made sure we got everything we needed to get set-up in the conference room. He earned my respect immediately. What a great example of "Servant Leadership." It took only a few minutes of his time but it was a great gesture on his part. Humility is the hallmark of excellence.
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ReplyDeleteLeaders cannot exist without followers. A true leader is someone who you follow because you want to follow him and not because you have to follow him.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right Murli - true leaders engender trust in their followers and inspire them so they WANT to perform and to follow that leadership. Beyond consistency and ethical conduct, it also means that true leaders understand that everything they do is ultimately a choice. They mindfully choose their actions and even the attitude they convey to others. Especially in times of stress, one's true leadership potential is often revealed in how we choose to behave and the attitude we convey.
ReplyDeleteSomeone once said that true leadership translates to "grace under pressure". I think that proves true, but even moreso "grace by example." Francis of Assisi agreed to spend a day with one of his students who had asked to learn from his preachings. They spent the day among the sick and destitute. All day long Francis just comforted the sick, helped them with simple chores, and listened to the poor, giving them some bread he had with him, and the shirt off his back. At the end of the day, the student asked Francis, "Why did you not preach?" He answered, "To the contrary I preached all day."
ReplyDeleteTrue leadership is being there for your team. Not forgetting that you enjoy the privileges of leadership and the limelight due to the good work done by the team members however lower down the totem pole they may be. Servant leadership will stand the test of time always. Its amazing to see how many leaders forget about this and don't take the time to thank people, acknowledge people and such. Facing up to a crisis, rolling up your sleeve and providing the right environment for individuals to do their best work and instilling a sense of pride in every team member is what leaders should do. Setting direction, providing the right environment and tools to succeed and steering the ship when necessary (so no micro managing) to change course are all qualities I expect to see in a good leader.
ReplyDelete