Posts Tagged ‘Being A Leader’

Attending a recent conference for accountants, I was surprised by how many seemed to feel that, even though they were in leadership roles, they could not make things happen.

Now let’s not pretend that leading is easy; it’s not. At the same time my view is that people who choose to step into a leadership role do so because they can make a difference.

Of course it is easy to come up with a whole host of reasons why you cannot change things, like:

• Well that can only be changed at a national level
• If only people were more engaged
• The time is not right because of…… (you fill in the blank)
• I don’t have the authority
• I don’t want to go out on a limb
• You don’t really understand what it is like in my organisation, sector or industry.

Yet here is the reality: When you step into a leadership role you make a positive choice to take the lead, to move things forward, to contribute to strategy and success.

In return you get well rewarded.

Of course it is going to be uncomfortable at times. You will face obstacles, barriers and even complete resistance at times. If all you ever do is wait for someone else to make the tough choices, then you are not a leader; just a well paid follower.

At the end of the day as a leader you are in the risk/reward business. You take balanced risks, get results and get the benefit in terms of your salary.

The question is, are you a leader or just passive and waiting for everyone else to act?

Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps professional people become great leaders and managers. Sign up for his free audio e-course Leadership Success at www.goalsandachievements.co.uk.

We often hear that leaders need people in leadership roles to stand up and be counted. At the same time, being a leader can sometimes feel like mission impossible.

Think about it. If you decide to do something and it does not work out at all or as well as you had hoped, the hindsight squad are more than willing to analyse your failings.

If by contrast you sit back and don’t do anything, you get criticised for not caring, not taking responsibility or hiding away in the Ivory Tower.

If you try to change something, you can easily face massive resistance and a huge desire to hold on to things, even if people don’t like the current situation much.

So what’s the answer?

In reality you have to face up to the fact that in any situation, whatever you do, there are going to be people who don’t agree with what you do.

Of course you can listen, be flexible and not close your mind to different ways of achieving what you are trying to achieve.

However, you have to recognise that at the end of the day leading is not about winning a popularity contest but about delivering results.

The best leaders will always try to take everyone with them and win hearts and minds.

At the same time, remember that whatever decision or course of action you take, there are ultimately going to be some that will not get behind you and support you.

Accept this as just the way it is and keep moving forward towards delivering the results that you know you and those around you are capable of achieving.

From the outside looking in, being a leader can sometimes seem to be all about strategy, the big picture and driving the organisation forward. In my experience, there are often many misconceptions about leading. Here are my top 5:

1. Misconception 1: It’s easy

   Contrary to what people often believe, leading is a huge challenge and is certainly not easy.

2. Misconception 2: You can rely on seniority

   There may have been a time when people in leadership roles could rely on their status to get others to come on board. The truth is this does not work anymore.

3. Misconception 3: Everyone will follow

   Leaders need followers. People only follow you if they believe that you are worth following. Don’t assume everyone will be on board with what you want to achieve.

4. Misconception 4: Leaders are born, not made.

   There is an idea that there is something genetically different which happens at birth to result in people being natural leaders. This is the biggest myth around.

5. Misconception 5: You need to be nasty

   All of the best leaders I ever worked with had one thing in common. They were genuinely nice people and really took an interest in others.

What other misconceptions do you have about leading?

Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps accountants and health professionals to achieve success and realize their professional potential through being highly effective leaders and managers. For more information and to sign up for his free audio e-course click here

Most people working in major organisations follow a pretty defined climb up the career ladder. As a result, people are often promoted to leadership and management roles based on what they have done in the past rather than future potential.

So do you really have what it takes to lead? Check out the following 10 questions to find out.

1. I am able to create a long term vision.
2. I am able to get others to buy in to my vision.
3. I can set specific objectives and milestones to achieve the vision.
4. I empower people to deliver and then get out of the way.
5. When I communicate, I listen as much as I speak.
6. I treat people well and help them to achieve.
7. I bring out the best in others.
8. I put results first, ahead of how I am seen or perceived by others.
9. I have the personal resilience to bounce back from setbacks.
10. I focus on what I do best.

I you can say “yes” to most of the above, you have the foundations for success as a leader in my view.

Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps accountants and health professionals to achieve success and realize their professional potential through being highly effective leaders and managers. For more information and to sign up for his free audio e-course click here

Even the best leaders and managers encounter setbacks. so how can you bounce back from them. Watch this short video to find out.