“A good leader knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.”
– John C.Maxwell
Great leaders lead by setting an example. One great leader that comes to mind is when George Washington rode into battle with his troops, earning full respect and a legacy which has remained.
By definition, a leader is in the front, ready to take the heat when something goes wrong. The leader will not blame his followers but will take the blame and address how to correct the problem. So, how can you lead your team to greatness?
Here are five practices of a true model leader are:
Modeling the way
Your behavior earns you respect. You stand up for your beliefs and practice what you preach. The balance of words and actions builds integrity.
Inspiring a shared vision
A key to true leadership is to inspire a shared vision among your followers. Prior to conveying your vision, you must develop it, live it and model it from your behavior.
Challenging the process
Make every project an adventure. Take risks and treat mistakes or failure as learning and growth opportunities. Remember we are at our optimum when we have a chance to change things.
Supporting others to act
As a leader, you know you can’t do it alone. Therefore it is imperative to build trustworthy relationships that will then establish strong grounded teams. Your main aim is to empower others.
Encouraging the heart
It is essential to recognize not only the team’s achievements but also an individual’s. Celebrate these accomplishments. To be a leader, you must see yourself as a leader first and remember experience is the greatest teacher, and there is no substitute.
“We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors,
and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience.”
– George Washington
(The Leadership Challenge, James Kouzes & Barry Posner – Fifth Edition)
At Eton Institute, professional training and management education can be delivered in different formats, ranging from short, practical workshops, to longer, modular courses for select topics ranging from leadership, sales skills, negotiation and much more. To book a consultation, drop us a line at corporate.uae@etoninstitite.com