The Lessons of Leadership
Everything of substance that we can accomplish in this life is done through leadership - whether on a personal or professional basis. Most people look at their leadership potential as a means of giving themselves more power or control, while the true leader is constantly striving to find ways to empower others to ensure the continued forward momentum of any undertaking.
This month's issue features one of the great college football coaches of our time, the late Bo Schembechler, and his lessons of leadership. There are many significant areas of management that should be addressed daily but the topic of leadership, in my opinion, tops the list to powerfully lead your business to be useful to your customers, while becoming profitable.
To become an effective leader you need to learn all you can to develop the necessary skills that will help you overcome the trials that you will no doubt face in life. Solid leaders learn not only from formal training courses, but the true leader/manager will also learn the greatest lessons from other leaders who have been weathered by the tests they have experienced in life.
Most of you have heard the phrase "leadership by example." Every effective manager should urge their subordinates to "do what they do." Leadership by example is ultimately important. While coach Schembechler became a solid and powerful leader in his own right, he learned from other great coaches who were "leading by example." The military teaches that in order to become a successful leader you have to first learn how to be an obedient follower. That is an important message that is usually missed.
Great leaders also know that they aren't working alone. Even the president has advisors who help him develop and enact policy. Successful leaders are mentors who help others develop their own engaging leadership style. It is a difficult job to be strong and humble simultaneously, but it is imperative for a managing leader to do so in order to inspire others to reach their own leadership potential.
Most importantly, you must always, on every occasion, do the right thing. The "right thing" is always honest, sincere, bold and even heroic. If it fosters the proper end results without lying, cheating or stealing, that's the path you will want to take. The ethical questions we face almost daily can, and often do, force otherwise great leaders to become ordinary mid-level minions or, sometimes, total failures. Know who you are and be that person every day of your life.
I hope you enjoy this month's James Dicks Magazine that will highlight a number of important leadership stories. It's one of the greatest lessons anyone can learn and apply in their lives. Leadership brings confidence and confidence will direct you toward a successful end result.
Happy Investing!
Originally published in James Dicks: Buy*Sell*Hold magazine.