Effective Leadership – What is it all about?
Angela Hasserjian
Leadership is not so much about technique and methods as it is about opening the heart. Leadership is about inspiration – of oneself and of others. Great leadership is about human experiences, not processes. Leadership is not a formula or a program, it is a human activity that comes from the heart and considers the hearts of others. It is an attitude, not a routine.
- Lance Secretan
At some point in all our lives, we are expected to take on the role of a leader. Whether it is as a parent, coach, doctor, director, or a member of a support group, will you be able to rise to the challenge?
A leader sets goals for their organization and then decides how best to achieve these goals using the resources available. An effective leader will involve their team members in the goal-setting process which is in essence the strategy of the organization.
Many leaders think that what an effective leader does is motivate people. Interestingly, I recently learned that it is not possible to motivate others, because motivation in an inner-directed, goal oriented behavior. Motivation is the product of desire and commitment. What team members really need is a leader who helps them achieve their own goals while achieving the goals of the organization and this is what motivates employees and volunteers towards accomplishing the set objectives.
An important aspect of leadership is holding team members accountable when they break the rules of the organization and as a result skew the vision. It is important that rules and guidelines are in written form, so that if team members break the rules the leader can refer to the handbook and show them that they are accountable for their actions. It is important not to come off confrontationally in such situations, but merely to help them understand the implications of their actions on the remainder of the team and the clients.
Informal monthly reviews can help a leader understand how far along their team members are with accomplishing their personal goals and those of the organization. Holding employees and volunteers accountable is a good thing for their personal goals, the clients and the growth of the organization because it leads to the overall success of the strategy.
Leadership is about accountability, to your clients, to yourself, to your team, but it is also, of course a chance to share in the triumphs of those people as well – because it can't be done without strong leadership.
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