Five Undeniable Laws of Leadership

Law #1

Authority is not leadership. Corporate managers often mistake their authority for leadership. People who are instructed to complete a task “Just because I said so” or “Or else” although they may complete the assigned task, there is now no inspiration or reason for that person to TAKE OWNERSHIP. The task is usually completed with much less of a sense of pride. Great leaders inspire. Inspiration is the precursor to passion, ownership and ultimate greatness.

Law #2

Leaders ignite passion in others. People with passion lead from the front. The true leadership test is to guide and motivate (as opposed to mandate) his or her followers beyond their original expectations. The challenge then sometimes becomes to lead from the front for the leader. People with passion often “Push” leaders. True leadership never has to “Push” the followers.

Law #3

Align values. Leaders share the values of his or her followers. Leaders do not ask people to line up to their set of values, leaders adopt theirs as the starting point. To do otherwise could alienate those who need the leadership in the first place. When the leader shares the people’s values, it becomes easier to inspire and motivate his/her people to more greatness.

Law #4

Share the challenge, share the solution. Leaders value the opinions, thoughts, and contributions of others. The bigger the challenge, the more likely someone else has ideas to help solve the problems. I can not help but remember the old sports saying “There is no “I” in TEAM.” Although cliché, this is extremely true. No leader, not even one, ever became a leader by himself.

Law #5

Leaders request. When you ask for someone's input and opinion, you are actually asking for their participation. Participation is a fuel for passion. Remember leadership is enhanced by respect. Telling people minimizes their input, asking people encourages their participation, once again this fuels passion.

P Scott Rayburn

Coaching Skill, Another MUST HAVE for your Management Leadership Toolkit

Coaching and development of people is a must have for todays management leader. This skill should be used on a continual basis. Coaching should be excercised on any and every given opportunity.

Coaching can consist of activities from aiding poor performing employees improve, to helping top performers tweak performance hindering activities. Coaching is not an activity where you seem to know everything, it is however an attitude of "I'll help any way I can".

The "Leader" in most organizations has many roles. These roles are of vital importance to acheiving the goals set forth in its mission statement. These roles include Coaching,Developing employees, Giving Constructive feedback, analyzing performance issues, and grooming others for advancement.

The leader should be responsible for developing employees. From new employee to seasoned veteran, anyone can improve. Constructive feedback, leaders should be able to give constructive feedback to employees in such a was as to build them up, never to tear them down. Addressing performance problems, this includes analyzing and correcing these kinds of problems. Finding Leadership replacements, Grooming others for advancement.

No one ever gets things done alone, as a coach, it is our job to successfully lead others in the right directions.

I highly recommend reading the book "The Art of Advice:How to Give it, How to Take it" by Jeswald W Salacuse. This book discusses effective ways to communicate advice to others.

Thanks