How To Become A Better Leader

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‘To become a better leader than you are right now, the first fundamental thing you have to do is to believe you can be a better leader and that you can learn to improve your leadership skills and abilities.’

Leading is about the actions you take, not the position you hold. It’s about the values that guide your … actions. It’s about the visions you have for yourself and others.’

‘When people reflect on their experiences, it becomes clear that the way leaders behave has an impact on both themselves and others around them.’

‘People around the world have similar expectations about how leaders should behave and therefore have similar evaluations of what makes their leaders effective.’

‘Authentic leadership flows from the inside out.’

Learning to lead is about discovering what you value, what inspires you, what challenges you, what gives you energy, and what encourages you.’

‘Learning to lead is not dependent on any particular learning style. … What matters is that you do more of whatever learning tactic works best for you.’

‘You need to examine your mindset before you seriously set off on your learning leadership journey.’

‘Your belief about your ability to learn are where it all starts.’

‘The best leaders are the best learners.’

Source:

James M. Kouzes & Barry Z. Posner (2016). Learning Leadership: Five Fundamentals of Becoming an Exemplary Leader

Leadership Is Not For Everyone

You are lost in the woods if you think you can have positive and productive and productive impact while ignoring the artistic side of your leadership.’

If you are going to lead, then perhaps learning to be authentic and accept responsibility is the most courageous place to start.’

You must listen to the stories people are telling about you and your culture, and then you must influence the stories.’

As a leader, you need to look reality in the face and accept it.’

Eliminating pretending as an organizational or personal strategy is a critical step to leading courageously.’

‘It’s time to come to terms with the fact that you simply can’t do it all.’

Driving your direct reports into action and encouraging involvement and initiative is critical to building high performance.’

Your presence as a leader relates to the heart and soul of who you are much more than it does to what you do.’

People are not afraid of taking action; they are afraid of what will happen if they take action.’

A courageous leader promotes personal responsibility in the organization.’

‘If you avoid responsibility, responsibility will eventually come back to get you.’

Source:

Mike Staver (2012). Leadership Isn’t for Cowards: How to Drive Performance by Challenging People and Confronting Problems