I will never forget
the moment when I heard this question during a leadership class: "Why would anyone choose to
follow you as their leader?" My thoughts immediately turned to my work and to those who reported to me. I
wondered, "Why would they follow me . what do I really offer?" Then I thought of my family, and wondered why
my children would choose to follow me, and how and where was I leading them. Finally my thoughts turned to all
the others with whom I associate and I pondered what I could possibly offer to them from a leadership standpoint.
Needless to say I felt very inadequate as I realized how much I needed to grow. Although this experience proved
to be rather sobering, it also proved to be a valuable time of healthy reflection and self-evaluation.
Let me ask you the same question. Why would anyone choose to follow you? What kind of leader are you? What do
you offer to others? Do you even see yourself as a leader? I suggest that everyone, to some degree, wears the
hat of a leader, even if it is self-leadership (which, by the way, is the most important leadership of all).
So how can you become an effective leader? Peter Drucker, a well-known leadership consultant, identifies some
critical elements of leadership in his article titled, "Leadership: More Doing Than Dash." Take a moment to
measure yourself against these principles and establish some new goals.
As we start, please don't make the mistake of confusing charisma with leadership. Although charisma might be
helpful, this trait is certainly not necessary to become a great leader. You see, the measure of true leadership
is performance . achieving the desired results. Charisma is not a critical part of the recipe.
As an example, consider Dwight Eisenhower or Harry Truman. They were both extremely effective leaders, but
neither possessed, as Peter Drucker put it, "any more charisma than a dead mackerel." Consider two more
examples: no one had less charismatic personalities than Abe Lincoln, the raw-boned, uncouth backwoodsman of
1860, or Konrad Adenhauer, the chancellor who rebuilt West Germany after World War II. In fact, relying only
on charisma could be the undoing of leaders if they become inflexible, convinced of their own infallibility
and unable to change. This is what happened to Stalin, Hitler and Mao.
So what is leadership if it is not charisma? It is the task of creating vision and human energy. It is
instilling in others a hope and belief that they can create change for the better. It is tapping into the
talents of each to bring out their best. Leadership is the ability to work and get real results, to set goals
in harmony with a mission, to set priorities, and to maintain standards which are not compromised in the pursuit
of obtaining those goals. Leaders see leadership as a responsibility, rather than as rank or privilege. When
things go wrong - and they always do - they do not blame others. Leaders refuse to exhibit victim attitude or
behavior. Harry Truman's folksy saying, "The buck stops here," may best sum up a leader's attitude.
Another requirement of an effective leader is the ability to earn trust! Otherwise, there will be no followers -
and the definition of a leader is someone who has followers. To be trusted does not always mean you will be l
iked or be popular; it does not mean that all will agree with you. But people who trust you know that you mean
what you say, and that your professed beliefs are congruent with your actions. They believe that you as a leader
possess something very "old-fashioned" called integrity. Trust is not based on being clever, but on being
consistent. Trust is not based on character or competence alone, but on both combined.
Perhaps the most important aspect of leadership is that it is not something you are born with, but something
you can develop! When all is said and done, it is the results you deliver that will truly determine the real
measure of your effectiveness as a leader.
I ask again: Why would anyone choose to follow you? As you ponder, consider the above principles as a possible
template for becoming a leader. Consider these same principles as you determine whom you will follow.
As you build your Melaleuca business, consider the wonderful opportunities you have to significantly impact
others through your leadership abilities. Sharing Melaleuca, growing your business and helping others indeed
changes lives for the better. Customers find improved health, safer homes, financial stability, warm relationships
and much, much more. But how much you will impact the lives of those you care deeply about will be determined
by the level of personal leadership you develop. As you celebrate the holidays and the new year, decide to
expand your leadership abilities, to create new and better results so others will want to follow you.
Lastly, as we begin a new year, I encourage you to lead out in one more way: Be a leader by giving
the "small things" of life. After all, isn't it really the small things in life that are the big things?
I can promise you that the fulfillment you receive from participating in some of the "small ideas" shared
here, borrowed from Life's Little Instruction Book, will far exceed the fulfillment of giving a physical
gift. And if I happen to be wrong, you won't have spent a single penny in the effort. I wish you the very
best during this holiday season and thank you for all you do.
Suggestions On How To Live A Happy & Rewarding Life:
 Take time to smell the roses.
Take a nap on Sunday afternoon.
Drink eight glasses of water a day.
Never deprive someone of hope . it might be all they have.
Be thankful for every meal.
Don't be afraid to say, "I'm sorry."
Don't take good health for granted.
Don't interrupt.
Don't tailgate.
Improve your performance by . improving your attitude.
Wave at children on the school bus.
Listen to your children.
Leave everything a little better than you found it.
Leave the toilet seat in the down position.
Keep it simple.
Keep good company.
Keep your promise.
Be kinder than necessary.
Take good care of those you love.
Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out.
Wear outrageous underwear under the most formal business attire.
Vote . it just might make a difference.
Judge your success by the degree that you're enjoying peace, health, and love.
Be a good loser.
Be a good winner.
Be romantic.
|
Enjoy real maple syrup.
Never refuse homemade brownies.
Never give anyone a fruitcake.
Remember other people's birthdays.
Sing in the shower.
Don't nag.
Don't gossip.
Don't expect money to bring you happiness.
Be forgiving of yourself and others.
Never give up on anyone . miracles happen everyday.
Say thank you a lot.
Say please a lot.
Take your dog to obedience school. You'll both learn a lot.
Slow dance.
Don't rain on other people's parades.
Don't postpone joy.
Stop blaming others.
Take responsibility for every area of your life.
Take care of your reputation. It's your most valuable asset.
Count your blessings.
Whistle.
Marry only for love.
Call your mother.
Do more than is expected.
Be there when people need you.
Be someone's hero.
Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity. they think of you.
|
When you care about others
When you reach out to others
When you give yourself to help others
You make a difference.
|