Do You Have the
DRIVE to be a Leader?
A common definition of an effective leader is one who is able to wisely exercise
influence over others for the good of the organization.
In other words, to be an effective leader at work means to persuade others to
accomplish your goals, i.e., the company's goals. Of course, we all know of
negative ways to persuade others, which only results in temporary gain followed by
a long-term drop in productivity. However, what most people are not aware of are the
characteristics that effective leaders utilize daily to motivate, influence, and
persuade employees. Simply stated, effective leaders engage in the following traits
and behaviors to DRIVE their employees' performance.
DIRECTION: Leaders point the way for the organization and for the employees.
Leaders help the organization answer the question, "Where are we going?" Secondly,
leaders help employees answer the question, "What are my goals?" A leader cannot
be effective until he/she knows the direction of the organization. Once the leader
knows the direction of the organization, he/she can assist in directing the energy
of the employees.
RELATIONSHIPS: Leaders build productive and satisfying relationships with
employees. Employees develop their desire to produce and their commitment for the
organization primarily through the relationships they have with the leader(s) within
the organization. Leaders, who create positive relationships with their employees,
have employees who are more willing to accept their vision for the organization.
INCENTIVES: Leaders create paths that employees want to follow, in order to
achieve both their goals and the organization's goals. A leader first determines
the organization's goals, next he/she determines the employees' goals, and then
matches and correlates how the employees can meet their goals at the same time the
organization meets its objectives.
VISION: Leaders talk about the current big picture and the future. Where
will the organization be in a year or two? What is in store for a particular
employee or department in the future? What are the company's current objectives?
A leader communicates vision in terms of both fact and dreams. An effective leader
does not "sugarcoat" the truth, but provides negative facts with plans for positive
change. For instance, "Even though the department did not meet its goals for this
quarter, my goal is to create an environment from which the department can shrink
the deficit for next quarter."
ENERGY: Leaders have natural energy created by excitement. Leaders are
excited both in what they are doing and the goals they have set. The leader's
energy rubs off on their employees and creates a synergistic effect throughout
the whole organization. Effective leaders have learned that energy, both positive
and negative, is as contagious as the common cold within the workplace.
Happy Working,
Gary Vikesland, MA LP CEAP
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