Leadership Through the Eyes of An Eagle

I recently had lunch with a young man, Joshua, who became Eagle Scout a little more than a decade ago. Knowing that he had earned this prestigious award, I asked him to tell me about the traits and skills that inspired him to say, “I choose to follow this leader.” Unsurprisingly, he told me that it was more a combination of things that would cause him to make this commitment. Here are a few of the things he cited.

  • The person is willing to lead – As a team member, Joshua looks at his co-members and asks, “who is willing to lead?”. It’s not always the person who was appointed by management. It is often another member of the team who is quietly guiding the group, offering suggestions and steering the group toward the desired outcome.
  • The person is knowledgeable – Joshua asks if the leader has knowledge of the concept; an understanding of the big picture and how the team’s undertakings fit into the ultimate goal? Is the individual able to acknowledge what he/she does not know? This last point captured my interest and Joshua elaborated by explaining that the leader does not have to be an expert; rather, must have a working knowledge and a willingness to ask for help in areas where he/she recognizes that another team member is more knowledgeable than he/she might be. When these characteristics are present, Joshua told me that he is comfortable following that individual’s lead.
  • The person seeks out and implements input from the entire group – When team members feel that they’ve had an opportunity to help shape the direction and course of a project, they have a sense of ownership. It is now their project and they want to see it through to a successful conclusion. “When I see a leader taking my input and placing it in the project,” said Joshua, “I double my efforts and willingly follow.”
  • The person communicates clearly – While recognizing that some information cannot be shared if confidentiality is to be maintained, the leader that Joshua follows never “keeps him in the dark” or withholds information that he needs to effectively do his job.
  • The person anticipates problems and points of conflict and steers a course to avoid them – Why deliberately walk into troubles? The leader that Joshua follows does his/her best to navigate a course that avoids the things that can tear a team apart. However, when the unexpected problems arise, and we all know they will, this leader efficiently and effectively shepherds the group through the problem and helps it keep its eyes on the ultimate goal. The leader does this with tact and diplomacy when possible; with determination and assertiveness when necessary. The Great Leader ensures that nothing is allowed to derail either the group or the project.

Whether these leadership roles are performed from the front of the group or the back of the room, the Great Leader, in Joshua’s mind, displays these traits and performs these acts to ensure the successful completion of the project and gives credit for success to the group as a whole.

Thanks for sharing these thoughts, Joshua!

Tom Hoisington is a speaker, trainer, and author whose goal is to provide leaders and potential leaders with tools that empower them to build teams that are creative and cost effective along with a clearer understanding of how personality types interact within those teams. He can be contacted at tom.hoisington@eagleoneresources.com

Do Great Leaders Know How To Use Their Position To Lead?

I just finished reading Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book, The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism, and I am struck by Roosevelt’s recognition of how his position, his bully pulpit, to arouse interest in and support for causes that he felt strongly about.

Like most Great Leaders, Roosevelt recognized that he had an opportunity to help shape both public opinion and public policy in order to effect changes that he believed were essential for the betterment of society. To do this, he did several things …

  • He knew what he wanted to accomplish; his goals were clear. Great Leaders have specific goals. These goals are not vague wishes. Rather, they are specific and measurable with clearly defined deadlines.
  • He refined his message so that it was clear and understandable to anyone who would listen. In refining the message, Great Leaders create a vision that their followers can focus on as they strive to change that vision into a reality. Great Leaders inspire their followers in such a way as to make it possible for the followers to see themselves reaching the goal and enjoying the fruits of their labors.
  • He made allies of those who could help him spread his message. Great Leaders know that they cannot accomplish very much by working alone. They create alliances that are mutually beneficial to all parties. Great Leaders also make certain that their allies know how vital their role is in turning dreams into realities; and, Great Leaders share credit for the accomplishments with their allies and team members.

Do Great Leaders know how to use their position to Lead? You bet they do! Who, in your opinion was a Great Leader who used his or her position of leadership to change the world for the better. Click comment and share your opinion.

Tom Hoisington is a speaker, trainer, and author whose goal is to provide leaders and potential leaders with tools that empower them to build teams that are creative and cost effective along with a clearer understanding of how personality types interact within those teams. He can be contacted at tom.hoisington@eagleoneresources.com

Do Great Leaders Eliminate Negativity?

It’s a fact of life. There is an element of negativity in the world. We are exposed to it every day by some of the people we encounter in our daily lives. As the great platform speaker Cavett Robert once remarked,

“Some people brighten a room the moment they walk into it; others brighten the room when they leave it.”

The importance of attitude was driven home recently when a friend shared a poster with me that she had seen at a school where she was sent to work as a substitute teacher. It read,

“Entire water of the sea can’t sink a ship unless it gets inside the ship. Similarly, negativity of the world can’t put you down unless you allow it to get inside of you.”

Great Leaders know that they cannot eliminate the negativity that exists. Rather, they choose to look for and always find a way to identify the positives that surround us. They choose to embrace the positives and reject the negatives. Great Leaders recognize that, while negativity exists, it cannot bring anyone down who refuses to embrace it.

Great Leaders also inspire their followers to do the same thing. They encourage followers to share good news with one another; to celebrate each other’s victories; to encourage one another to build on strengths. At the same time, Great Leaders discourage complaining, whining, and the PLOM’s (Poor Little Old Me). Great Leaders inspire followers to look for the teachable moments when things don’t go according to plan; to identify the new opportunities that setbacks reveal.

In the final analysis, Great Leaders do not eliminate negatives. Rather, they choose to reject the negatives; to keep them on the outside where they cannot bring down the great ship “I Can Reach My Potential”.

Tom Hoisington is a speaker, trainer, and author whose goal is to provide leaders and potential leaders with tools that empower them to build teams that are creative and cost effective along with a clearer understanding of how personality types interact within those teams. He can be contacted at tom.hoisington@eagleoneresources.com