Effective leadership requires enticing and motivating others to
join in the effort to enhance and improve the organization, at least in
certain aspects. It doesn't matter if someone possesses all the other
skills needed to be a great leader, if he does not motivate others to
unite and join together for the common good, the possibilities for
success are limited. All great leaders have been possibility thinkers,
and believe that the improbable can be achieved with effort, and what
others consider impossible can also be achieved with more and better
directed efforts. Winston Churchill said, "If we are together nothing is
impossible. If we are divided all will fail." True leaders unite their
organizations by exhibiting those traits and strengths of character that
others respect and look up to, and motivate others to adopt a great
leader's vision as their own.
1. In my over thirty years of working closely with hundreds of organizations and well over a thousand leaders, I have observed that the biggest stumbling block to unity is negative, blaming leadership. When someone in a leadership position resorts to negativism, or even worse, blames either other people or circumstances for certain challenges, not only are those behaviors demotivating, but they tend to draw people apart, often creating an aura/ atmosphere of distrust and selfishness. Unity requires strong leaders who emphasize the common good, appreciate the efforts of others, have true compassion and empathy, are effective listeners, and demonstrate that they genuinely care about their organization and its constituents and supporters. Almost magically, when people observe this type of positive, constructive behavior, they are strongly motivated to participate more, pay more attention, and prioritize the best interests of the organizations and everyone involved.
2. No leader will or should even strive to satisfy and please everyone. There will always be a segment of any group that prefers to be negative and critical, because it is always easier to find fault and blame, than to view the bigger picture and examine constructive alternatives and methodologies. However, the greatest leaders always listen and show respect for everyone, including those that most adamantly and vehemently disagree. True leadership is about showing you care, but not simply agreeing with everyone in order to be liked and face more resistance. The best approach to seek common ground, when possible, as long as it does not weaken the most essential components of an idea. Positive leaders with demonstrable integrity are nearly always the best unity builders.
Positive leaders unify and blamers destroy! True leaders seek to unite.
1. In my over thirty years of working closely with hundreds of organizations and well over a thousand leaders, I have observed that the biggest stumbling block to unity is negative, blaming leadership. When someone in a leadership position resorts to negativism, or even worse, blames either other people or circumstances for certain challenges, not only are those behaviors demotivating, but they tend to draw people apart, often creating an aura/ atmosphere of distrust and selfishness. Unity requires strong leaders who emphasize the common good, appreciate the efforts of others, have true compassion and empathy, are effective listeners, and demonstrate that they genuinely care about their organization and its constituents and supporters. Almost magically, when people observe this type of positive, constructive behavior, they are strongly motivated to participate more, pay more attention, and prioritize the best interests of the organizations and everyone involved.
2. No leader will or should even strive to satisfy and please everyone. There will always be a segment of any group that prefers to be negative and critical, because it is always easier to find fault and blame, than to view the bigger picture and examine constructive alternatives and methodologies. However, the greatest leaders always listen and show respect for everyone, including those that most adamantly and vehemently disagree. True leadership is about showing you care, but not simply agreeing with everyone in order to be liked and face more resistance. The best approach to seek common ground, when possible, as long as it does not weaken the most essential components of an idea. Positive leaders with demonstrable integrity are nearly always the best unity builders.
Positive leaders unify and blamers destroy! True leaders seek to unite.
Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, and Director of Development, as well as a consultant. He has professionally run events, consulted to over a thousand leaders, and conducted personal development seminars, for over 30 years. Rich has written three books and well over a thousand articles. His company, PLAN2LEAD, LLC has an informative website http://plan2lead.net and Plan2lead can also be followed on Facebook http://facebook.com/Plan2lead
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