Key To Success Is Good Leadership

Everything rises and falls on leadership. Whenever I make that statement the listeners are tempted to change it to, “Almost every- thing rises and falls on leadership.”  Most people have a desire to look for the exception instead of the desire to become exceptional. Right now you lead at a certain skill level. For the sake of teaching this principle, let’s say that on a scale of 1 to 10, your leader- ship reach the level of 6. This is what I know: The effective- of your work will never rise above your ability to lead and influence others. You cannot produce consistently on a level higher than your leadership. In other words, your leadership skills determine the level of your success-and the success of those who work around you.

Recently I read these  words  in magazine  from  the president  of Hyatt Hotels:  “If there is anything  I have learned in my  27 years in  the  service industry,  it is this:  99 percent  of all employees want to  do a good job. How they perform is simply a reflection  of the  one for whom  they 

This humorous story underscores the importance of effective leadership:  During a sales meeting, the manager was berating the sales staff for their dismally low sales figures. “I’ve had just about enough of poor performance and excuses,” he said. “If you can’t do the job, perhaps there are other sales people out  there  who would jump at the chance to sell the worthy products that each of you has the privilege to represent.” Then, pointing to a newly recruited, retired pro-football player, he said, “If a football team isn’t winning, what happens? The players are replaced. Right?”

The question hung heavy for a few seconds; then the ex-football player answered, “Actually, sir, if the whole team was having trouble, we usually got a new  

Leadership can be taught.

Leadership is not an exclusive club for those who were “born with it.” The traits that are the raw materials of leadership can be acquired. Link them up with desire and nothing can keep you from becoming a leader. Article will supply the leadership principles. You must supply the desire.

Leonard Ravenhill in “The Last Days Newsletter” tells about a group of tourists who were visiting a picturesque  village. As they walked by an old man sitting beside a fence, one tourist asked in a patronizing way, “Were any great men born in this village?”

The old man replied, “Nope, only babies.”

Leadership   is developed,   not   discovered.   The truly   “born leader” will always emerge; but, to stay on top, natural leadership characteristics must  be developed.  In working with thousands of people desirous of becoming leaders, I have discovered they all fit in one of four categories or levels of leadership:

THE LEADING LEADER:

Is born with leadership qualities.

Has seen leadership modeled throughout life.

Has learned added leadership through training.

Has self-discipline to become  a great leader.

Note: Three out of four of these qualities are acquired.

THE LEARNED LEADER:

Has seen leadership  modeled most of life.

Has learned leadership through training.

Has self-discipline to be a great leader.

Note: All three qualities are acquired.

THE LATENT LEADER:

Has just recently seen leadership modeled.

Is learning to be a leader through  training.

Has self-discipline to become a good leader

NOTE: All three qualities are acquired

THE LIMITED LEADER:

Has little or no exposure to leaders.

Has little or no exposure to leadership training.

Has desire to become a leader.

NOTE: All three qualities are acquired

To be continued. {From John C. Maxwell}