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Real Leadership Direction

Jun 12

Posted by John Roberts in Qualities | No Comments

Real and genuine leadership is context-free. It is possible to talk about leadership anywhere. Leaders are and have been politicians, entrepreneurs, businessmen mystics, people of faith, generals. Every generation has at least one in every field.

Whenever we talk about leadership, we need to consider context as an incidental factor. Environment offers the scenario for leadership to be manifested, the runway from which ideas take off. Real leadership always has one important characteristic: its direction.

Real leadership is always directed towards a final point, constantly concentrated and targeted on it. To use the language of NLP, leadership has a “towards” metaprogramming structure.

Embodied in its natural figure, that of the leader, leadership always aims towards its intended goal. No leader has ever acted “away from”. Not even Moses, who did not escape from Egypt; rather, he proceeded towards the Promised Land.

This strong and essential element emerges with all its strength in every speech, in every authentic expression of leadership.

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” is one of its most authentic expressions: “(And) there will be neither rest nor tranquillity in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights.” These words deeply reveal the constant striving towards the final goal, a goal that emerges with its own deep ecology: “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred” and firm intent: “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”

This is authentic leadership, a real leadership that not even death was able to stop. As in a relay, leadership is a baton that gets passed onward, always ahead, towards the final goal, never allowing anything to stand in its way.

The basis of real leadership lies in its striving, in its constant convergence towards the goal. It can be found in any field, any environment that can serve as a support. Let’s take, for instance, John XXIII’s speech at the opening of the Second Vatican Council: “(Therefore) let us go on loving each other, loving each other this way; looking at each other in the meeting: we have to pick up what unifies us and leave aside the rest.” Once again we find this element, indeed a leitmotif which, as you can see, is cross-contextual. It reappears right after in the same speech: “And then all together we live [...] and let us continue to walk.”

This is further reaffirmed in the words of Henry Ford: “I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can’t be done.” This powerfully emerging strength can also be found when Ford turns an “away from” logic into a striving towards the goal: “Most people spend more time and energy going around problems than in trying to solve them.”

For this reason, all real and genuine leadership has to aim towards a goal, a destination point on which to constantly and intensely converge. Whenever we follow projects, ideas or pathways that, rather than turning us to a certain point, move us away from their main objective, we are not in the presence of real and genuine leadership. We are actually riding a wave not knowing where it will lead us.

Let’s always aim towards a goal, towards its construction, each one of us bringing his/her own brick.

This is real leadership.

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Quotes On Leadership

Jun 9

Posted by John Roberts in Qualities | No Comments

We can get acquainted with quotes of leaderships through schools, colleges, libraries, universities and they can be of great help as these are inspiring for the young generation for improving their leadership potential. After all, they are going to lead this future universe. These quotes of leaderships from famous people are often displayed by hanging them on furnished walls of interiors of the classrooms of the schools, colleges and universities.

In his quote “When I give a minister an order, I leave it to him to find the means to carry it out”, the great French King like Napoleon Bonaparte tells us about the basics of the administration. According to him, never impose your opinion on others though you are a final decision maker. Always analysis the suggestions from your subordinates and in critical situations try his capabilities, decision making and his approach to such situation. The great Bonaparte stuck to his quote and so he was the strong leader and a wise administrator.

Another quote from the famous American president like Woodrow Wilson is incorporated with very valuable message that “Leadership does not always wear the harness of compromise”. It means that sometimes, there is no place for compromise, negotiations in the governance. The leader has to take hard decisions for a peaceful cause and safety of the nation.

As a president of America, the tenure of Woodrow Wilson was the significant example of his powerful and sensible decisions, his governance. He was firmed to his opinions according to his quote and got a significant place as a true leader of America.

Likewise his quote such as “No man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent”, in his presidential inning of America, Abraham Lincoln gave importance to the teamwork and co-understanding between his administrative staff.

In the modern corporate world, these quotes on leadership are used as the guidelines for all those executives and mangers for carrying out the managerial and regulating administration more accountable and responsible. These quotes on leaderships facilitate them with various kinds of phrases, usages, rules, and theories of how to get excellence in the leadership qualities.

Such Quotes on leadership really facilitate them to how to make co-ordination between the employees, how to make himself strong for decision making in critical situation, how to persuade the employees from organizational threats like strike, low productivity and loss.

In the business leadership coaching sessions, leadership journals, online leadership columns, articles; the reader views and read a wide range of quotes of leadership. Therefore, such quotes instrumental with accountability and responsibility while managing any business organization. Some of the quotes of leadership facilitate you with the secret of leaderships. By arranging the special session on such quotes of the leadership, we see the enhancement in the potential and productivity of the employees.

The usability of such quotes from famous people of leadership is not limited to only business sectors. These are instrumental in every field of society like science, politics, educations, sports, space research, music, etc. so in adverse situation, these quotes on leadership reinforce our talent and confidence to overcome such situation. So according to these quotes, for acquiring success, satisfaction and development in life, proper execution of leadership has to be there.

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What Are the Keys to Effective Coaching?

Jun 2

Posted by John Roberts in Qualities | No Comments

Coaching is a very difficult profession that requires coaches not only to build a reputation in their niche, it also requires that they demonstrate the very highest principals when coaching others. The key attributes and skills demonstrated by the best coaches lie in helping individuals build relationships and to become leaders in their chosen field.

Building Relationships

Unlike many other jobs, coaches have to have an absolute mastery of relationship-building skills. Good relationships which are a complex set of interactions, often between very different types of people can maximize the effectiveness of good communication. And coaches realize that as they begin working to enhance the lives of others, it all begins and end with good relationships.

Relationships are built over time, and good coaches understand that the process is a series of interactions with an individual that will develop trust, respect and mutual understanding.  Relationships, like leadership, are not a “top/down” process. For many years, our culture has stressed this top/down hierarchical organization. At work we are used to having an authoritarian boss; at home there has often been a sole breadwinner and decision maker.

This type of relationship is counterproductive in the modern environment and has become out-dated. Modern research into effective relationships at home and at work is based around an understanding of mutual respect and bridge building. The process is often studied in terms of business dynamics, but it is also being applied to other types of relationship.

The Qualities of Leadership

A coach is essentially a leader. Again leadership is often a very misunderstood concept. Modern studies of leadership denounce the traditional method of authoritarian leadership …  pointing out that it often stifles personal and group growth the very thing that personal coaching attempts to increase. As such a coach must understand leadership in its modern form.

Leadership is often seen as a “bottom/up” process that relies on a person being able to engender a vision in the mind of others, and to motivate them to invest their time and energy in realizing this vision. And good leaders will have a variety of motivational techniques that emphasize the importance of the individual contributions made by their peers. Coaches always strive to engender the “can do” attitude in individual’s who often shift the burden of learning and development squarely onto the shoulders of others.

A coach is a facilitator, and gives others the necessary skills for self-achievement. A great mind exercise is to think about a sports coach. The position of coach is not about being able to run the fastest, nor is it about being able to complete passes: All successful coaches in any field enable others to achieve their goals by providing the necessary tools, training, and motivation.

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Transactional Leadership

Jun 2

Posted by John Roberts in Qualities | No Comments

Leadership style plays a crucial role in the development of an organization. Transactional leadership is of the leadership style that is often used by many companies. Transactional leadership believes that punishment and reward motivate people. This leadership also assumes that when people agree to do a particular assignment, a part of that agreement is that they give up all authority to their boss. The leader holds control and power over the subordinates. The main goal of the employee is to obey the orders of their managers. The idea is that when a subordinate takes up a job, he or she agrees to obey their manager totally. The ‘transaction’ is the money or any other award that the company pays to its subordinates for their compliance and effort. The relationship between the subordinate and the leader becomes transactional. In transactional leadership the leader has the right to punish his or her subordinates if their performance is not according to the predetermined standard.

Transactional leadership makes clear that what is required and expected from their subordinates. It also mentions that subordinates will get award if they follow the orders seriously. Sometimes punishments are not mentioned but they are understood. In the early stages of transactional leadership, subordinate is in the process of negotiating the contract. The contract specifies fixed salary and the benefits that will be given to the subordinate. Rewards are given to subordinates for applied effort. Some organization use incentives to encourage their subordinates for greater productivity. Transactional leadership is a way of increasing the performance of its subordinates by giving them rewards. Transactional leadership is also called as ‘true leadership style as it focuses on short term goals instead of long term goals.

In Transactional leadership, when the leader assigns work to its subordinates, then it is the responsibility of the subordinate to see that the assigned task is finished on time. If the assigned task is not completed on time or if something then punishment is given for their failure. But if they accomplish the task in time then the subordinates are given reward for successfully completing the task. Subordinates are also given award and praised for exceeding expectations. A subordinate whose performance is below expectation is punished and some action is taken to increase his or her performance.

Transactional leadership has more of a ‘telling style’. Transactional leadership is based on the fact that reward or punishment is dependent on the performance. Even though researchers have highlighted its limitations, transactional leadership is still used by many employers. More and more companies are adopting transactional leadership to increase the performance of its employees. This approach is prevalent in real workplace.

The main limitation of this leadership is that it assumes that people are largely motivated by simple rewards. Under transactional leadership, employees can’t do much to improve job satisfaction. Transaction leadership has been ineffective in providing skilled employees to their organization. This style of leadership is least interested in changing

the work environment. Experts do not recommend this approach. Transactional leadership focuses more on management of punishments and rewards.

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Situational Leadership

Jun 2

Posted by John Roberts in Qualities | No Comments

Situational leadership theory is one of the type of leadership theory, leadership model and leadership style that believes that different leadership style suit different situations. That is as per the situation, you should apply leadership style. Situation leadership theory assumes that the best action to be taken by a leader depends on the situation. The leader should also be able to adapt the style according to the situation. As the situation changes, you (leader) should also quickly change the leadership style. Depending on the situation, you (leader) should adopt leadership style.

Adopting a particular style also depends on the relationship between the followers and the leader. The cooperation of the employees also plays a major role in deciding the type of leadership that should be in that organization. Factors such as mood and stress may affect the leader’s behaviour. When a situational leader is required to take a decision, he or she does not use only one preferred style. Situational leaders are effective and versatile. In our day-to-day life, we do this in dealing with different people. That is our leadership style is different for different people. We avoid getting angry if a new employee makes a mistake. We also remind forgetful employees. This theory is not only applicable to people who are leaders or are holding management positions but is also applicable to those people that lead others at play, at work and at play.

A situational leadership model is also associated with situational leadership theory.

The basic idea of this model is that leadership flexibility is necessary for effective leadership. It also believes that different leadership approaches are required for different situations. This model defines four leadership styles. These styles are based on how much guidance or direction the leader can give to his or her followers.

Leadership Styles are as follows:

Directing Leaders- Tasks and roles of the followers are defined by these leaders. Directing leaders also supervise their followers very closely. All decisions are taken and announced by the leader. Here the leader is more focused on completing the task than keeping a good relationship with the follower. Thus, communication is one way.

Coaching Leaders: Here the leader still defines the tasks of the followers but asks for any suggestions from the follower and tries to keep a good relationship with the follower Final decision is made by the leader and not the author but communication is two way.

Supporting: Here the leader frequently takes the help of followers for day-to-day decision. Decisions include processes and task allocation. The leader facilitates decisions but the final decision is taken by the follower.

Delegating Leaders: Here the leader is too involved in problem solving and taking decisions but the authority to take the final decision is with the follower. Followers also decide how and when the leader should be involved.

Depending on level of development of the employees, a particular style will be most effective. The leadership approach should also match to what is required or needed by the employees or followers

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Leadership Quotes

Jun 1

Posted by John Roberts in Qualities | No Comments

Leadership quotes are leadership tools that inspire us. They play a very significant role in our day-to-day life. Studies have shown that leadership quotes have made a positive impact in our day-to-day life. They are considered as one of the best leadership tool. These inspirational words awaken your potential. Leadership quotes are one-line statements but their meaning is vast and impact is immense. These words not only inspire but also promote personal development. Leadership quotes motivate you and therefore rightly called as motivators and if followed them seriously then success is guaranteed in whatever you do. They can bring a sea change in your attitude, strength your resolve. Leadership quotes can resolve conflicts. These leadership quotes can awaken you from a very bad state of unconsciousness.

They tell you to believe in yourself to conquer any kind of fear or problem. If you have a friend who has been unsuccessful in his career then give him or her, a card with a leadership quotation written on it. The quotation will do its magic. A leadership quotation is vision for blind people. When you feel that you are going nowhere, leadership quotes will inspire you to think positively and will give you the right direction. If you are not sure about any decision that you have taken then leadership quotes can help you to take right decisions.

Leadership quotes are the right words that are delivered at right time and in a right way. They can change your negative attitude and transform your problems into opportunities. They awaken a person who has drowned in the river of misperceptions and despair.

Leadership quotes can give you strategy to solve your problems. These words help to stay focused in your work Leadership quotes will encourage and inspire you to achieve higher goals. They tell us that to be successful in any field, one must be sincere in whatever work we do. They are tools that positively influence your performance. If you use leadership quotes in speeches, it will have a greater impact on the audience. Leadership quotes will help the speaker to effectively communicate with the audience. Strong leaders use leadership quotes for effective leadership. They use it as a tool to support their strategy, vision and mission.

You can learn a lot from leadership quotes. Leadership quotes are like loaded bullets. If they are fired from a correct angle, they can go through the strongest of the armors. They can give you new directions to solve a particular problem. They tell us what great people thought and how did they overcome their problems. In the past, leadership quotes were used to pass on knowledge from king to heir, from mother to daughter etc. Leadership quotes are not just for reading but they should also be implemented in day-to-day life. Leadership quotes are like pearls of wisdom. It is up to you, to find vision in leadership quotes. A leadership quote if implemented can transform your life positively. Leadership quotes can tell you how to be successful in life

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National Youth Leadership Forum

May 27

Posted by John Roberts in Qualities | No Comments

Young minds are like surging waves which if properly directed can render any pasture green. Energy, enthusiasm and excitement always accompany the youths; they eagerly jump to new challenges and put their mind, body and soul in it. Such tremendous potential needs to be properly channeled.

National Youth Leadership forum founded in 1992 in USA is working in this direction. National Youth Leadership forum, a non-profit organization working in collaboration with Envision, EMI of USA, nurtures the young minds enabling them to become better future professionals. Their programs are designed for high school and university students. Held in nine different cities across the country the programs are offered in national security, law and medicine. These programs are very popular among the student community and till date, about 100,000 students have successfully participated in it.

GPA of 3.7 on a scale of 4 is a must for any student who is desirous to attend the program. If one is unable to meet these criteria then one has to provide a letter of recommendation from an academic source such as a teacher and from a supervisor who is in charge of extracurricular activities. Course expenditure may exceed $2000, which excludes other expenditures such as transportation cost and other additional cost. The tuition fees collected from the students are used to fund the programs and NYLF also provide scholarships to needy and meritorious students.

The National Youth Leadership forum has a strong alumni network wherein the alumni keep themselves abreast of the latest happenings in the NYLF. The online community is comprised of past, present and future candidates. In 2002, the members of the online community went on to form a message board and they also have IRC (Internet relay chat) server. The NYLF staff now maintains the message board whereas the IRC server is taken care by the alumni community.

Programs in national security, law and defense by National Youth Leadership forum exposes the eager young minds to the new world where they get an opportunity to interact with the experts, which help them to understand the world in a much better manner.

The program on law is held in Washington D.C. The students get an opportunity to visit the local courts, the federal courts and also the Supreme Court. The legal experts help the participants to understand the intricacies of law in an easy and effective way.

The program in medicine is held at well-known medical centers such as San Francisco, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. Houston-Galveston and Phoenix. Here the distinguished medical experts from international community provide an insight into the intricacies of the medicine and help them to understand the subject to their utmost satisfaction.

How the nation’s sovereignty is protected and how to deal with external threats? This puzzles the participants. However, when they get an opportunity to visit the country’s nerve centre, where important decisions are taken then most of their doubts are taken care of. The top brass of the government explains the participants about the national security program. Indeed, the efforts taken by National Youth Leadership forum are highly commendable.

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