Leading Not Following: The Importance of Effective Leadership
Posted on Wed, Jun 09, 2010
by Jeremy Willinger
Everyone wants to be the general but nobody wants to be the soldier. Yet, while leadership is an admirable quality, how many times have we heard the adage that absolute power corrupts absolutely? Despite the countless politicians and other officials who wind up abusing their authority, leadership, when exercised properly, is an invaluable quality that can lead to great personal and professional success.
Key to effective leadership is a combination of honesty and faith—to be truthful in the advice and direction given to charges, with trust in their ability to get the job done correctly. Effective leadership and the proper executive etiquette thereof, is also about knowing when to intervene and when to back off. In many ways, leadership training is like parenting in that you have to allow people to grow independently while also knowing when and how to guide them toward favorable outcomes.
The importance of leadership cannot be overstated. In business, direction and dynamic momentum sustain and grow market value, while stimulating innovation. Personally, it facilitates thoughtful and beneficial decisions that put wind in our sails as we navigate the waters of life.
Even if you are not in a leadership position, there are always opportunities to display management qualities. Proper leadership etiquette dictates that one defer to the judgment of his or her superior; at the same time, initiative defines one as a conscientious worker who is confident enough to vocalize ideas. Regardless of whether your newly proposed project is actualized, your creative initiative can brand you as a future leader, comfortable in your ability to think beyond what is already on the table.
While leadership is an admirable trait, it is useless without supporters and loyal workers. All leaders had to learn from others before them, so listening is as important as directing at all stages of one’s lifetime. Knowing this will make the difference between being a leader who is respected and a leader wannabe, who is easily replaced.