leadership personal development – Page 3 – Doug Dickerson on Leadership

Leadership Minute: Keep Your Composure

The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. – James Allen

As a leader, how you respond when things do not happen as you’d like is your moment to either build confidence with your team or send the wrong signal. The leader who keeps his composure is the one who delivers much needed confidence. And in the midst of turbulent times you can communicate the message that, in spite of the circumstances, things are going to be fine. How you handle the unexpected and conflict is your moment to shine. Regardless of how chaotic things may get you can lead your team with a steady hand when you are clear-minded and keep your composure.

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Four Ways Following a Leader Can Be Difficult

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. – John Maxwell

An old woodsman gives this advice about catching a porcupine: “Watch for the slapping tail as you dash in and drop a large washtub over him. The washtub will give you something to sit on while you ponder your next move.”

Inspiring leadership is needed now more than ever. What’s not inspiring, however, is watching reactionary leaders who are chasing porcupines with washtubs who never seem to be ahead of the game. What’s even more frustrating is trying to follow this type of leader.

A few years back Forbes contributor Eric Jackson wrote an article on the top ten reasons why large companies fail to keep their best talent. In a nutshell they are baldy managed, send mixed signals, and have misplaced priorities. These things not only drive away your best talent but are the things that also undermine your ability to lead. Here are four ways following a leader can be difficult and why it matters.

When there is no clear vision and purpose.

Simply put, if you don’t know where you are going as a leader what makes you think anyone will want to follow you? A chief hallmark of a leader in any organization is one who knows where he is going and why, and has convinced you of the same. If the vision and purpose of your organization is not clear among the leadership then you can be assured it is unclear to everyone else. If your vision or purpose is not known internally then those who have the most to gain from your service or product will be the ones who lose out. This is a Leadership 101 issue. You will never succeed personally or as an organization if you can’t define your vision or purpose. What can you do about it? Define it. Share it. Do it.

When communication is not clear and consistent.

Communication is the lifeblood of your organization. It’s not something you leave to chance. Think for a moment of the measurable things within your organization that are important to you such as sales projections, budgets, or employee performance reviews. These are important things that you track and rightfully so. Communication deserves the same treatment. Nothing will frustrate the people in your organization more than poor communication. If they are in the dark about what is going on or they find out information second- hand then you are dropping the ball. Be clear, consistent, and frequent with your communications and always be ahead of the curve. Getting information late can have the same negative consequences as not finding out at all.

When team members are not valued or respected.

Not all team members are equal in terms of responsibility, skills, or assignments. But all are worthy of being valued for what they contribute and are worthy of respect. This is a fundamental leadership practice that you should not even have to ponder. But leaders can be hard to follow when they fail to recognize the hard work and efforts that each person brings to the table. Not everyone’s experiences will be the same but everyone’s input has value. Leaders can be hard to follow (and rightfully so) when they allow unprofessional conduct such as bullying to go unchallenged. Leaders worthy of being followed will take a stand and not allow it. Smart leaders give their team members respect and value their expertise. They make following a pleasure.

When leaders are inconsistent and fail to set the right example.

What followers of any leader want more than anything else is a leader who is consistent. They want to follow a leader who knows who they are, where they are going, and have made a compelling case for their leadership. Followers don’t mind weathering the storms. They will follow you through good times and bad so long as you remain true to your values and do the right thing. Yes, leadership can be hard, but even more so for followers who want a leader who says what he means and does what he says.

What do you say?

I invite your feedback!

1. Which point was the most troublesome for you as a follower?

2. As a leader, which point do you need to work on the most?

3. What would you add to the list?

4. What are some tangible things you can do to develop your followership skills?

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Leadership Minute: See Past the Majority

When I think of vision, I have in mind the ability to see above and beyond the majority. – Charles R. Swindoll

This is one of the toughest leadership principles to grasp. Vision is relatively easy compared to getting past the majority opinion. Leaders come under an enormous amount of pressure to lead in such a way as to please the majority. All leaders had better understand this truth; leadership can be lonely at times. When your vision takes you to a place where the majority does not reside you’d better be prepared to stand alone. Your vision is not a popularity contest. Stand by your principles. Be true to yourself. And then let the chips fall where they may. But at the end of the day don’t forfeit your dreams for the appeasement of the crowd.

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Leadership Minute: Dodging Bricks

Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. – Steve Jobs

All leaders know this. Life has a way at times of being harsh. Things don’t go the way you plan, a friend betrays you, the deal falls through. It’s called life. But leaders also know the power of resiliency and look for ways to move forward despite the hurt. When trials and setbacks come your way and it would seem you are being hit upside the head with bricks; don’t despair. Don’t give up. You will rise to fight another day; win another battle, and lead with your character intact. Fight through the discouragement. Don’t let your confidence be shaken. You can do this!

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Leading Through Barriers

Posted April 15, 2012
by dougdickerson

A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. – Christopher Reeve

Sports Illustrated columnist Kostya Kennedy wrote a moving tribute recently in honor of Rachael Robinson, the widow of the late baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson. Now 93-years old, Rachael Robinson remains very active in the day-to-day operations of the Jackie Robinson Foundation which provides scholarships to minority students from around the country. Her work in preserving Jackie Robinson’s legacy is testament to her great generosity and authentic leadership.

The Sports Illustrated feature coincides with the 65^th anniversary when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier when he played his first game in Major League Baseball and the 50^th anniversary since he was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame. And thanks to Rachael Robinson, the legacy of Jackie Robinson lives on.

Jackie Robinson’s rise to stardom as an authentic major league player was met with much resistance and racial barriers that had to be overcome. And one event that helped turn the tide of public perception occurred in his home stadium in Brooklyn when during a game Robinson committed an error.

The fans began to ridicule him. He stood at second base, humiliated, while the fans jeered. Shortstop Pee Wee Reese came over and stood next to him. He put his arm around Robinson and faced the crowd. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career.

Thomas Edison once said, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success before they gave up.” And this is the challenge for leaders who break barriers. Success comes to those who will stick to it longer than others, who will not give up, and press through their personal barriers. What will be your response to the barriers in leadership that you face? From the amazing career of Jackie Robinson to the remarkable work of his beloved widow, Rachael, we learn three important leadership lessons about facing our barriers.

Barriers build character. Down through the ages traditional wisdom has taught us to pick our battles wisely. But if given the choice, how many of us would choose to face a battle? The point being, we do not always choose the battles or barriers that we face, but we do choose how we address them. Robinson’s battle, by default, was in breaking the barriers of racism and proving he had the skills worthy of the Major Leagues. And Robinson did this with his character in-tact and with the talents that placed him in the Hall of Fame.

The next time you are tempted to grumble or complain about the barriers that you face try a little perspective on for size. It’s been said that obstacles are those frightening things you see when you take your eyes off the goal. Barriers can build your character if you will learn not to let them be your road block.

Barriers build bridges. And this is the mark of what happens when leaders step up to the plate. As barriers are overcome and new doors are opened, it paves the way for others to step up and achieve their dreams. As a leader, when you face and overcome your barriers you are creating opportunities and possibilities not just for yourself, but for others.

The emergence of Jackie Robinson onto the grand stage of Major League Baseball opened the door for other minorities who have followed. But what is notable is the way in which Robinson viewed his hurdle. He did not see his barrier as a stop sign. He saw it as a pause on his pathway to his dream. How do you see your barriers?

Barriers build possibilities. Robinson’s post-baseball career was marked by his service to the cause of Civil Rights. Now through the mission of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, his memory is being honored and his legacy is being passed down to future generations. The barriers he faced were merely stepping stones to great causes that live on 40 years after his death.

What will be the mark of your leadership? It will, in part, be determined by the choices you make in the face of adversity. Your barriers are not detours; they are signposts that you are tempted to ignore. But it’s when you travel with courage the road marked out for you that you can rise above them, and pave the road of your destiny.

Doug’s new book, Great Leaders Wanted! is now available. Visit www.dougsmanagementmoment.blogspot.com to order your copy today!

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