What It Means To Be A GREAT Leader?

There’s a huge difference, between, merely, serving in a position of leadership, and holding some office or title, and actually, becoming a true, genuine, meaningful, effective, GREAT leader! Many realize, numerous organizations, and groups, have suffered, in recent years, both, in terms of membership/ involvement, as well as purpose, and fulfillment of their mission. No group can possibly be, successful, unless/ until, it plans, and evolves, as necessary, and invests, in – itself, by creating, and using, a professionally – designed, leadership training and planning, program! With that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what that means, and why it matters.

1. Growth; greater good; generate goodwill: Organizations must, continuously, consistently undergo growth, in a variety of relevant areas, or, it will become weaker, less relevant, and risk extinction, etc! For membership organizations, this means, consistent growth, in number of members, and continued, financial health, and responsiveness, to evolving needs! Instead of serving anyone’s personal/ political agenda, and/ or, self – interest, a group must proceed, constantly, for the greater good! Potential leaders must seek to generate goodwill, not by their rhetoric, and empty promises, but, rather, by bringing people, together, for the common good, seeking a real, meeting – of – the – minds!

2. Relevant; responsive; realistic: It’s important for organizations, to be, both, relevant, and sustainable! Only, when, someone, who is leading, is consistently, rapidly, responsive to the actual and perceived needs, goals, and priorities of his organization, and constituents, does he earn the right, to be called, a leader! One must be careful, to maintain a positive attitude, but avoid, wearing rose – colored glasses, and, thus proceed, in a realistic manner!

3. Empathy; emphasis; energize: It takes the ability, and willingness, to effectively listen, and learn, from every conversation and experience, to proceed, with the necessary degree of genuine empathy! A real leader, realizes, he must place, his emphasis, accordingly! Only then, will he be able to energize, his stakeholders, effectively, and in a meaningful manner!

4. Attitude; aptitude; attention; action; articulate: When a true, positive, can – do, attitude, is combined with a well – developed, aptitude, and skill – set, and a willingness, to pay keen attention, to all relevant matters, someone becomes ready, willing, and able, to lead! He must use strategic planning, and, perceive and conceive of, create, develop, and implement a quality action plan, combined with the self – confidence, to articulate a compelling message, in order to achieve, what needs to be done!

5. Truthful/ trust; timely; time – tested: One’s quality training, must prepare him, properly, with the time – tested, knowledge, expertise, and, hopefully, wisdom, which, often, differentiates a true leader, from the rest – of – the – pack! In order to earn the trust of those, he serves and represents, he must be, consistently, truthful, maintaining genuine integrity and ethics! There is no place for procrastination, and quality leaders, proceed, with well – considered, timely action!

Wouldn’t any group benefit, if it had a GREAT leader? Will you be up, to the task?

Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, Director of Development, consultant, professionally run events, consulted to thousands of leaders, and conducted personal development seminars, for 4 decades. Rich has written three books and thousands of articles. His company, PLAN2LEAD, LLC has an informative website http://plan2lead.net

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