It is a fact of leadership life that others look up to someone who leads, for direction and what we commonly refer to as leadership.
Frequently, others look to a leader to be somewhat like they look to sports stars, as heroes who they believe are larger than life.
Many in leadership become frustrated because they feel they cannot possibly live up to those kinds of expectations, because the expectations are often unrealistic, and because the individual in a position of leadership has his own issues and obstacles.
Aldous Huxley explained this situation in this way, "There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self.
" Before any leader can do anything constructive and positive for others and his organization, he must objectively review his own strengths and weaknesses, and create the best person he can possibly be.
1.
Many individuals in leadership seem to become frustrated by what they consider either uncooperative or unwilling to work members, who seem to have high expectations, yet are not willing to put in what certain pseudo - leaders see as they should.
Every great leader eventually comes to understand that leaders may be able to positively influence and motivate others, but a leader cannot and should not attempt to force others to do what they are not willing, able or committed to do.
The best thing a leader can do, therefore, is to improve himself, so that he is someone that others look up to as setting an example that they wish to follow.
That is almost invariably the best way to motivate others to do more, and to care more.
2.
True leaders hone their skills and evaluate what they do, say and how they behave.
How can anyone hope to influence another if what he says is contradicted by what he does? Certain essentials that a leader must address in himself include his attitude (must work on maintaining positive attitude and frame of mind), integrity (this must be absolute), his desire to serve others and create value, the willingness to demand his very best all the time, expanding his comfort zone, stressing honest and meaningful communication, leading by example (that is, not expecting others to do anything the leader himself is not willing to do as well), being fair and fair - minded, and motivating others both by his words as well as his deeds.
It is incumbent on anyone desiring to be a meaningful leader to both be and do the best that he can.
This must be more than some empty, rhetorical exercise, but rather a way of life, and a mode of everyday behavior.