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 Principals
of a Good Leader
(This is an article from the coaching tips book -“Reach
For The Stars”. For more information contact Angela Lund of
S.T.A.R.S. Leadership Training www.starsleadershiptraining.com)
Leadership is an opportunity to facilitate meaningful behavior.Ý
It gives you the chance to encourage and guide, to create a sense
of accomplishment and success, to build self-esteem and a sense
of self worth, and to harvest the potential within your followers.Ý
Leading is a privilege that must be taken seriously and used for
the betterment of those you are leading.Ý We have all seen or worked
with poor leaders.Ý They tear down self-esteem and create a sense
of fear in those around them.Ý They do not build on strengths and
instead question sincere efforts.Ý They shatter motivation and try
to control their followers.Ý Good leading is the opposite of controlling.Ý
It is instead inspiring and empowering those you lead.Ý Coaching
is an incredible opportunity to teach young adults these basic principals.Ý
Use these tips as a stepping stone for your team.Ý Good Luck!
1. Building Trust and Respect
At the core of leadership is trust and respect.Ý It is impossible
to lead those who do not trust and/or respect you.Ý Integrity will
lay the foundation for these through modeling the behaviors you
want others to embrace.Ý When values and actions match up trust
will naturally follow.Ý If what you say and what you do are one
of the same your team will be more apt to trust in your words and
respect you.Ý But it is mutual.Ý You must trust and respect your
team in order to gain it from them.Ý You will achieve far more as
a leader when your team feels that you can lead them and still honor
them as people.Ý
How can we do this??????????
Be Fair
Be Honest
Be Consistent
Fulfill Promises
Share Feelings
Maintain Confidences
Respect time/belongings
Behaviors and Attitudes of a trustworthy leader (Adapted from
ìThe Complete Idiots Guide to Leadershipî by Andrew DuBrin)
- Tell people you are going to do something and always follow
through.
Fits MeÝÝÝÝ Does Not Fit Me
- Described by others as reliable.
Fits Me Ý Ý Does Not Fit Me
- Good at keeping secrets/confidences.
Fits Me Ý Ý Does Not Fit Me
- Tell the truth consistently.
Fits Me Ý Ý Does Not Fit Me
- Minimize telling people what they want to hear.
Fits Me Ý Ý Does Not Fit Me
- Described by others as ìwalking the talkî.
Fits Me Ý Ý Does Not Fit Me
- Deliver consistent messages to others by matching words and
deeds.
Fits MeÝÝÝÝ Does Not Fit Me
- Do what I expect others to do.
Fits Me Ý Ý Does Not Fit Me
- Minimize hypocrisy by not engaging in activities I tell others
are wrong.
Fits Me Ý Ý Does Not Fit Me
- Readily accept feedback on behavior from others.
Fits Me Ý Ý Does Not Fit Me
- Maintain eye contact with people when talking to them.
Fits Me Ý Ý Does Not Fit Me
- Appear relaxed and confident when telling my side of the story.
Fits Me Ý Ý Does Not Fit Me
- Individualize compliments rather than making blanket statements.
Fits Me Ý Ý Does Not Fit Me
- Do not tell others a crisis is pending just to gain their cooperation.
Fits Me Ý Ý Does Not Fit Me
- Collaborate with others to make creative decisions.
Fits Me Ý Ý Does Not Fit Me
- Communicate information to people at all levels.
Fits Me Ý Ý Does Not Fit Me
- Listen to others and then act on their suggestions.
Fits Me Ý Ý Does Not Fit Me
- I generally engage in predictable behavior.
Fits Me Ý Ý Does Not Fit Me
Scoring:
These statements are mostly for self-reflection, so no specific
scoring key exists.Ý However, the more preceding statements that
fit you, the more trustworthy you are, assuming you answered truthfully.
The usefulness of this self-quiz increases if somebody who knows
you well answers it for you to supplement your self perceptions.
2. Teach Your Team How to Follow
Good leaders are made better when they have great followers.Ý How
can we teach our team to follow well?Ý Teach them how to be courageous,
credible, honest, hardworkingÖetc.
3. Expect Great Things
We have all heard of the self-fulfilled prophecy.Ý What you get
IS what you expect.Ý
4. Have Charisma
1st impressions do count!!!!!!!!!!!
Be Enthusiastic - Create Energy in your Personality
Think Positively
Be Animated
5. Adjust Leadership Style to Situations
Know when to be bold, when to be sensitive, when to have energy,
when to use a dramatic pause.Ý Changing your style will allow you
to lead people effectively.Ý We have so many personalities on a
team that changing your style to each situation will embrace the
comfort level of more participants.
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