The late Jamie Buckingham reported,“A leader relies primarily on his influence to get the job done, not the system. In fact, while he may have a system, he often circumnavigates the system to win his followers by influence and persuasion, rather than dictate and order. He deliberately arouses potent and positive emotions in his followers and influences their beliefs and behavior. The leader understands that his personal influence comes from simple guidelines about how to deal with people, such as:
- Show people how to be successful in their own area, and they will be indebted to you. Set up roadblocks to their successes, and they will retaliate with hatred.
- Lead by rules of equity. Those who live by them earn respect. Violating them brings hostility.
- Avoid absurd directives that cannot be carried out, or have no long-range purpose.
- Listen with a ‘third ear.’ Be attentive to what another person wants to say, what he doesn’t want to say, and what he can’t say without help.
- Support your followers in the task of getting the job done. But don’t try to ingratiate yourself to gain their regard or love. That kind of manipulation often backfires.
- Never make promises you can’t fulfill. The leader’s reputation rests in part on delivering what he has promised.
- Above all, do not complain when God puts you in the crucible and turns up the heat. This kind of purging is for a purpose. The finest leaders are those who have gone through deep grief, personal breaking, humiliation of family, and career despair. Transformation occurs most frequently as a result of trauma. Consequently, true leaders often feel they are being tested. Their willingness to tolerate stress without becoming paranoid can lead to new strength, courage, determination and optimism.
Motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar says in his leadership seminar, “Leadership is getting people to do what you want done because they want to do it.”Here are some more good insights on leadership:http://briandoddonleadership.com/2010/08/28/i-have-found-the-perfect-leader/
