Living Healthy and Wealthy: Leadership Is An Art Form

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Leadership Is An Art Form

I pondered the word leadership today and thought about people I know who consider themselves leaders. The one flaw many of "leaders" seem to have is exactly figuring out how to get others to do what they want done - because they (the others) want to.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE LEADERSHIP?

Leadership: The art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Leadership is an art form. Some people are natural, born leaders. Others have to pick up skills and hone them along the way. Whether you are a leader of one (yourself) or an entire group, the 34th president of the United States coined one of the best definitions I've ever heard. The art of getting someone else to do something you want done because HE wants to do it. Pure Genius!

So how does one achieve this? If you've been keeping up to this point, it's an art form. Which basically means - no one can really teach you. Everyone is different. And it is crucial you keep that in mind because it's the key to you successfully becoming an effective leader. You have to learn what makes people tick. You have to be diplomatic. You have to put yourself in their shoes. Most importantly, you have to become a top listener. Don't just hear people - you must listen to them. You must care enough to step outside your comfort zone of being in charge and sit back and let them take the reigns. Never underestimate anyone - and never overestimate them either. If you do, you both might be in for tremendous disappointment.

Remember, a strong leader is the captain of his/her own ship - but you are NOT the master of another person's destiny. You can guide them, share your wisdom and be a good example. But ultimately, they are in control of their decisions, how they respond to adversities and how they choose to achieve a goal.

You never really know everything that is going on in someone's life. So don't assume you know their entire story. And for goodness sake, don't pass judgement on them either! The race is not always given to the swift or the strong. It is however, always given to the one who endures to the end. Never give up on someone because they are not moving as fast as you want (need) them to. And don't assume they've given up just because they have not achieved the level of success you believe they should have attained by a certain point. Maybe they are re-evaluating their course, still keeping their eyes on the prize.

If you take any of this to heart - then you would have to agree that everyone is and should be a leader. Putting any of these qualities I've mentioned to good use will not only help shape your journey as a leader, they could also help mold you into an overall better person. And don't forget: All of this is only possible with respect. Every leader needs it - but even more importantly, they need to be able to give it too.