Characteristics of a Good Leader

It's interesting to hear the responses from executives when I ask them, "What are the characteristics of a good Leader?"

If I ask that question in a large room of executives, or even upper level managers the answers will be all over the map, and many are conflicting.

A couple of the usual answers are:

A leader is someone that empowers those working for him to make their own decisions.

A leader is someone who gives clear, direct orders, a take charge person that commands his employees.

The first implies that we let the employees make up their own minds what to do, and how to get the end result. The second implies that we'd better be somewhat of a micromanager and tell everyone exactly what to do and how to do it.

Aren't those somewhat conflicting?

After we have built a huge list, and almost always the RIGHT answer isn't there, I'll point out to them they have put several conflicting statements up there.

So, "If you had to narrow it down to just one thing that defines a really good leader, what would it be?"

Out of all the years I've asked that question of executives, I believe only one time has someone even come close to the answer. The answer is "A leader gets results." I believe that the reason there were so many conflicting characteristics is that most of what we put up there was "situational." A good leader always knows when to use whatever tool according to the situation to get the results that are needed.

Too many are stuck in one mode or the other because "that is the right way to do it," such as "empowering" employees. I'll admit that is usually the best way, but there are employees that need a nudge once in a while, that perform well when given step-by-step directions instead of guidelines.

Too many are focused on activities, and then get frustrated because they don't get results.

A good leader knows how to find the right tool, when to use it, and always delivers results.

Alan Boyer, President/CEO of The Leader's Perspective, LLC http://www.leaders-perspective.com is considered one of the world's leading breakthrough specialists. He has worked with some of the worlds largest companies, on projects in the multi-billion dollar area, and with single proprietor companies. He has worked on many hundreds of projects with companies that have resulted in multi-$100 million savings or gains.

With over 35 years of business, quality, and process experience, he has catapulted businesses lightyears ahead in weeks. Some have doubled and some have jumped 10 times. He claims the key to that is:

Helping the business owners/employees develop the business skills

Helping them overcome the limitations and attitudes that they built between their ears (the self imposed limitations, I can't, this won't work for me, I'm different)

By helping them find the breakthroughs in their business and thinking

He helps companies worldwide reach further than they EVER thought possible?.FASTER mailto:AlanBoyer@leaders-perspective.com

In The News:

---

Salary.com(TM) Reinforces Global Leadership Position With Expanded ...
FOXBusiness - 4 hours ago
The expanded team underscores Salary.com's commitment to provide customers with global market data and thought leadership in the human capital management ...

infoGROUP Announces Leadership Changes
MarketWatch - 23 hours ago
We are grateful for his leadership and we want to thank him for his contributions." "After long deliberation I have decided that this change is in the best ...

Strategic Leadership: Colorado's IT Overhaul Model
Government Technology, CA - 41 minutes ago
We often discuss the importance of strategic leadership in this magazine, but the instances are few where we can both document where it's happening and talk ...

ChattahBox
American Leadership Project
PolitickerCO, Colorado - 4 hours ago
By Alex Isenstadt WASHINGTON - American Leadership Project, the pro-Hillary Clinton 527 group that ran ads in key primary states during the heated ...
The Struggle For Party Unity At The Democratic Convention Seattle Medium
Friday Forum: the Democratic Convention Utica Observer Dispatch
Obama forms advisory group focused on Latinos San Francisco Chronicle
Salonall 515 news articles

Man who led Leadership Lee to develop competing program
The News-Press, FL - 6 hours ago
By Tim Engstrom • tengstrom@news-press.com • August 21, 2008 The man who has led the Leadership Lee County program since 1994 is developing a competing ...

Boston Globe
Latham lashes out at Democratic leadership in Congress
Britt News Tribune, IA - 4 hours ago
He said the Democratic leadership knows that lifting the bans on offshore drilling and in the Alaska wilderness will easily pass muster with both House and ...
Video: From Oil Platform, McCain Touts Drilling AssociatedPress
all 354 news articles

45 Industry Leaders Make Their Debut at RISMedia’s Leadership ...
RisMedia.com (press release), CT - 7 hours ago
RISMEDIA, August 22, 2008-This year more than half of the speakers at RISMedia’s Leadership Conference will be new faces as presenters at the real estate ...

Surge reflects Bush, McCain's leadership
Albany Times Union, NY - 3 hours ago
It is understandable that Obama would try to tout this as his claim to leadership because he would like everyone to forget that his presidential resume ...
Video: McCain: I'm Not Questioning Obama's Patriotism AssociatedPress
Letter: Poor leadership Merced Sun-Star
Obama hits McCain over judgement on Iraq surge. Speech text Chicago Sun-Times
RealClearPolitics - Los Angeles Timesall 1,537 news articles

Lauren Adkisson goes to leadership program
Delta County Independent, CO - 13 hours ago
Lauren Adkisson was one of 36 students chosen to participate in a one week Business Leadership Program held at the University of Colorado this past June. ...

Joy Online
NDC Cadres call on party leadership to correct mistakes
Joy Online, Ghana - 32 minutes ago
The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) should forget about winning the 2008 elections if it failed to rectify the mistakes it made during ...

leadership - Google News

The Tao of Leadership

There can be no doubt that the ancient author of the Tao Te Ching, Lao-Tzu, was a man of unique wisdom whose writings continue to influence people... Read More

Leadership Development and Jumping Out of Airships

A German silent film melodrama depicts an airship bombing London during World War I. Lit up by searchlights and strafed by fighters, the crippled airship loses altitude... Read More

7 AAA Ways To Succeed!

[Abounding Abundant Ample Ways To Boost Your Growth!] This may come as a surprise but there are reliable,effective and powerful ways to improve your ability to learnnew... Read More

Helping Others Develop Their Potential

Most of us find ourselves in a position to help others achieve more of their potential than we realize. Sure, as leaders, supervisors, and parents we can... Read More

Boy Scouts of America and Leadership Coaching

The Center for Management and Organization Effectiveness talks with Dennis St. Jean, Assistant Director Professional Development Division, Boy Scouts of America, Irving, Texas.CMOE: Having recently attended one... Read More

Always Be Open To Learning

"We should not only use all the brains we have, but all we can borrow." -Woodrow WilsonLeave it to a child to remind you of the importance... Read More

Awaken the Leader in You: 10 Easy Steps To Develop Your Leadership Skills

"The miracle power that elevates the few is to be found in their industry, application, and perseverance, under the promptings of a brave determined spirit." - Mark... Read More

Two Leadership Traps: How To Avoid Them and How To Get Out Of Them (Part 2)

Here's how to get out of, or avoid, the "I need ... " trap. It simply involves changing what you think and what you say in very... Read More

Benefits of Leadership Skill Training

DESCRIPTION CMOE's Leadership Skill Training addresses a wide range of leadership development topics, based on the needs of the audience and scope of delivery. Leadership Skill Training... Read More

Are You The Most Powerful Leader You Can Be?

As someone who teaches, manages, parents or influences you'll probably already be aware that powerful leadership is not just about the boss, it's about the team, irrespective... Read More

BIG-3 Leadership!

"Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends." - Walt DisneyWhat is your organization striving to achieve?-... Read More

Leadership Training and Character

The vast majority of leadership training available to managers focuses primarily on skill and behaviors: how to delegate, how to communicate, how to manage conflict. These skills... Read More

10 Attributes of Effective Strategic Leaders!

Did you know that people who lead strategically resemble fine-tuned machines? By focusing on their strategies, leaders see a bigger picture, they understand the reasons why and... Read More

Develop a We Focus And Not a Me Focus

____________________________________________"There's only one thing more contagious than a good attitude ? and that's a bad attitude?Most bad attitudes are the result of selfishness." -John Maxwell ? The... Read More

The Leadership Talk As A Living Hologram

The hologram is a three-dimensional photograph made on a flat surface with laser beams.The three-dimensionality of such an image is not the only remarkable characteristic of a... Read More