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Great Leaders Think, Adapt, and Act Quickly When It’s Needed

May 17, 2015 By

Gettysburg — July 2, 1863 — It is the second day of what we now know as the Battle of Gettysburg. The 20th Maine has been tasked to defend the far left end of the Union lines at Little Round Top. Battle tactics of the era emphasized the importance of “turning the opponent’s flank” making Little Round Top a key defensive position for the Union forces. In many minds, had the Union forces failed to hold this position, the Confederate forces might well have won the Battle of Gettysburg. As the day progressed, Confederate forces from Alabama and Texas repeatedly charged the Union positions and were turned back by troops from Michigan, New York, and Maine.

While certainly not the only troops to defend Little Round Top, the troops of the 20th Maine under the command of Colonel Joshua Chamberlain proved instrumental in this battle. Recognizing that his men were nearly out of ammunition and that another Confederate charge was forming, Colonel Chamberlain ordered his men to fix bayonets and charge down the hill in a wheel-like maneuver that surrounded the Confederate forces. Overwhelmed by the ferocity of the 20th Maine’s charge, the exhausted Confederates surrendered. The Union position held and was a critical factor in the ultimate defeat of the Confederate forces at Gettysburg.

Colonel Chamberlain led the charge with the Color Bearer at his side. Bearing the colors (the Regimental Flag) was a great honor and an incredibly dangerous job in that the flag served as a focus point for opposing forces. Many Color Bearers were killed in the course of battle. Standing next to the flag was, perhaps, the second most dangerous place to be. Moreover, Colonel Chamberlain demonstrated an important component of Great Leaders … the ability to face difficult situations and think creatively outside the parameters of conventional wisdom. Great Leaders do not lead from behind. They are out in front, thinking creatively, inspiring others.

As Memorial Day approaches and we remember those who gave their lives in battle, let us also remember those who led from the front … the mark of truly Great Leaders. Click “Comment” and tell us who you believe are the greatest leaders of their time.

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

Filed Under: Dynamic Leadership, Great Leaders, Lead by Example, Lead from strength, Leadership, Leadership Qualities, What characterizes good leaders Tagged With: , , , ,

When Plans Fall Apart, Great Leaders Lead the Way

May 10, 2015 By

Last week, we remembered the actions of General Teddy Roosevelt, Jr. when he was part of the initial landings at Utah Beach, the only General to land with the first wave of troops on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Today, we look at another example of leadership from the front, Brigadier General Norm Cota.

When General Cota landed on Omaha Beach an hour after the first men came ashore, it was clear that the assault plan, a plan which had taken over a year to create, was quickly falling apart. German defenses had blocked all exits from the beach with barbed wire, concrete pillboxes, land mines, and well planned zones of fire.

Rather than telling men to go forward, General Cota led by example, climbing over the seawall and showing engineers where he wanted them to place explosives that would tear holes in the barbed wire and create an exit off the beach. When the detonation created a hole, Cota was one of the first men through the breach. Inspired by his example, soldiers followed and overcame the defenses that had been meant to keep them out of mainland Europe.

On each of the landing beaches, individual officers and non-commissioned officers took similar actions that inspired their fellow soldiers to overcome the obstacles that stood between them, the destruction of tyranny, and the preservation of liberty. In the final analysis, it was the cumulative effects of many individual initiatives that propelled the Allies to victory.

As we look ahead to the Memorial Day Weekend when we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice on the altar of liberty, let us look at those who led from the front … the mark of truly Great Leaders. Click “Comment” and tell us who you believe were the greatest leaders of the “the greatest generation”.

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

Filed Under: Dynamic Leadership, Great Leaders, Lead by Example, Lead from strength, Leadership, Leadership Qualities, What characterizes good leaders Tagged With: , , , , ,

Great Leaders Lead from the Front

May 3, 2015 By

June 6, 1944 — D-Day — soldiers from the United States, Canada, England, France, and other allied nations stormed ashore at Normandy Beach. The initial landings were led by Captains, Majors, and Colonels; and, one lone General accompanied those first troops. He did so because he believed that a leader leads from the front and he was determined to do so.

Initially, this General’s requests to lead the initial landings were declined. The reasons, no doubt, ranged from the fact that he was not a healthy man; to his age (he was nearly 57 years old); and, to his family lineage. But, he persevered, requesting the opportunity to lead his troops ashore in the first wave not once; not twice; but, three times. Finally, on the third request, his request was reluctantly approved. His commanding officer did not expect him to survive the landing! When asked why he was determined to land in the first wave, the General stated that it would be good for morale, adding, “They’ll figure that if a general is going in, it can’t be that rough.”

Despite the fact that he limped as a result of crippling wounds suffered in World War I and required the aid of a walking stick; despite the fact that he suffered from a serious heart condition that would end his life a mere 5 weeks after the D-Day landings, Brigadier General Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, Jr. led his 4th Infantry Division ashore at Utah Beach, encouraging them to fight and to fight hard to secure the beachhead. When he learned that the troops had been landed 2 kilometers away from their intended landing zone, General Roosevelt stated firmly, “We’ll start the war from right here!” General Omar Bradley described Roosevelt’s actions on June 6, 1944 as the “single greatest act of courage” he witnessed in the entire war. General Roosevelt was a Great Leader. He did not tell others to “go there … do that”. He said “follow me” and lead by example.

As we begin the month of May and look ahead to the Memorial Day Weekend when we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice on the altar of liberty, let us look at those who led from the front … the mark of truly Great Leaders. Click “Comment” and tell us who you believe were the greatest leaders of the “the greatest generation”.

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

Filed Under: Building a Legacy, Dynamic Leadership, Great Leaders, Lead by Example, Lead from strength, Leadership, Leadership Qualities, What characterizes good leaders Tagged With: , , , ,

“I’m Not Your Friend … I’m Your Boss”

March 29, 2015 By

While watching a movie the other evening, I heard one character shout this line to another character. It got me thinking … can a leader be a friend to team members; or, must there be a line separating the leader from the team?

To answer this question, let me begin by repeating something that those who regularly follow this blog already know … there is a significant difference between being a leader and being a boss. As my first agency manager, Ray, always reminded us, “A boss is just a Double SOB spelled backwards.” Bosses are typically authoritarian figures who often demonstrate the negative traits of whatever their dominant personality type might be.

  • Bossy, controlling, argumentative, overly aggressive, insensitivity, thoughtless.
  • Suspicious, uncompromising, constantly on guard, accusatory, distrustful.
  • Easily hurt by criticism, feelings of helplessness, poor coping skills.
  • Excessively emotional, overly dramatic, whining, loud, boisterous, scattered and hyperactive, self-centered.

Great Leaders recognize that there is room for friendship but also recognize where they may act less as a friend and more as a leader.

  • Because they are the leader, they must sometimes deliver bad news; but, they do so in a manner that communicates the importance of the message while avoiding belittling any person or delivering the message in a demeaning way.
  • Because they are the leader, they must sometimes take corrective actions; but, they do so in ways that honor the good intent of the follower even when the action was unsatisfactory or inappropriate.
  • Because they are the leader, they must make hard decisions; but, they make those decisions with an effort to deliver the most positive outcomes for the team.

Can a leader be a friend and a leader? I believe the answer is yes so long as all parties recognize and acknowledge that there will be times when the Great Leader must act less like a friend and more like a leader.

Have you had the experience of working with a leader that you also considered a friend? Share your experience, where things went well and times when the friendship was tested, by clicking on “Comment”.

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

Filed Under: Dynamic Leadership, Great Leaders, Lead by Example, Lead from strength, Lead with Integrity, Leadership, Leadership Qualities, What characterizes good leaders Tagged With: , , , ,

What Is the Key to Successful Leadership?

March 22, 2015 By

Have you ever heard someone tell another person to just “tell ’em what to do … they’ve got to do what you say … you’re the boss”? Of course, we have all heard a statement that, while it may not contain those exact words, certainly relies on the concept of a job title for its authority. Leaders who rely on their job title for their authority are, at best, mediocre leaders. They are relying on what is often referred to as “position power”.

Great Leaders, on the other hand, rely on what is known as “personal power”. This is the influence that they have on others; the authority that they derive from their followers, the people who have recognized traits or characteristics that they have chosen to ally themselves with and to willingly follow. These include …

  • Professional expertise – this is simply the recognition of a level of knowledge that surpasses the norm.
  • Business acumen – the leader has established a reputation for making the right decisions at the right times.
  • Experience – while very few can truly say that they’ve seen it all, experience is a vital component of personal power. Past experiences can help leaders make better decisions, pursuing paths that lead to success while avoiding actions that, in the past, have created more problems than they have solved.
  • Personal loyalty – the leader has demonstrated loyalty to team members, supporting them in their times of need; accepting responsibility when outcomes have not met expectations while deflecting blame away from the team; crediting the team for successes.

Great Leaders understand that they can have a tremendous influence on outcomes, not by issuing orders but by offering suggestions; by asking questions that lead team members to the answers that they seek; by guiding inquiries and actions.

Click “Comment” and share your experiences working with a Great Leader who influenced you and helped you grow personally and/or professionally.

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

Filed Under: Dynamic Leadership, Great Leaders, Lead from strength, Leadership, Leadership Qualities, What characterizes good leaders Tagged With: , , , ,

Is That Pause Indecision or a Moment to Consider the Facts?

March 8, 2015 By

“Now wait … let’s think this through.”

Do these words sound like the reaction of a Great Leader to someone’s suggested course of action? If you are like most people, you’re probably thinking that these words sound indecisive; like the words of an individual who has little or no self-confidence. However, they could well be the words of a Great Leader who has a dominant Organizer personality.

COREMAP(TM) teaches us that Organizer leaders are sensing, logical, thinkers who rely on facts, figures, data … things that they can see, touch, feel, study when making decisions. They think things through rather than go with their “gut reactions”. To know that they have made the right decision, Organizers need to know that they have considered all possible courses of action; have thought about all of the benefits that can be derived from the decision or the potential for unintended consequences of each course of action.

When given the time to weigh all factors, Organizer leaders are able to be decisive and rock-steady in their pursuit of the determined course of action. If the ultimate decision is different from their original idea, they are able to endorse the other person’s idea with conviction because they have weighed the benefits versus the costs and are convinced that it is the best course to pursue. Likewise, if they truly believe that the actions proposed by another are not in the team’s best interest, they can voice their opposition with graciousness and in a manner that shows the proposer that his/her suggestion has been heard, considered, and acted upon.

Great Leaders make every team member feel valued and know that they have been heard. Great Leaders who have Organizer personalities do this especially well for all of the reasons listed above. If you’ve worked with an Organizer Great Leader, click “Comment” below and share your experiences.

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

Filed Under: Dynamic Leadership, Great Leaders, How personality type impacts leadership, Lead from strength, Lead with Integrity, Leadership, Leadership Qualities, What characterizes good leaders Tagged With: , , , , ,

Can a Great Leader “Play to Win” and Still be Ethical?

March 1, 2015 By

I once worked with a man who had an interesting way of viewing all potential actions. He asked himself if the action was ethical. He explained himself this way …

“Some will ask if a course being considered is legal. Many things are legal. However, just because there is no law prohibiting an act does not make that act ‘the right thing to do’. The more important questions must be ‘is it the right thing to do … is it the way I would want to be treated … does the course of action improve the lot not only of my business; but, does it benefit or harm the other party?”

This person is a Great Leader. Great Leaders in business recognize that they must “play to win”. They understand that, in the final analysis, the company must show a profit in order to succeed and survive.

Great Leaders also recognize that a reputation is a double-edged sword. Those who always choose to do the right thing … to make certain that deals truly benefit all parties … will have customers who are loyal and return time and time again; plus, those customers bring others with them and recommend that their friends do business with the firm as well.

Conversely, the individual who looks only at the immediate, short-term, picture will say and do anything to “do the deal”. This individual does not care if the customer truly benefits, only that the company does this deal. He or she will get a reputation for caring only about his/her own benefit and customers will look to do business with someone else … someone who is working toward the customer’s benefit.

Great Leaders win in business and in the game of life because they make ethical choices and do the right thing.

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

Filed Under: Building a Legacy, Dynamic Leadership, Great Leaders, Integrity, Lead by Example, Lead from strength, Lead with Integrity, Leadership, Leadership Qualities, What characterizes good leaders Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Great Leader’s View of Character

February 22, 2015 By

Presidents’ Day morning. My “In Box” contains a quote from a Great Leader, President Abraham Lincoln, about a person’s character and reputation. Lincoln wrote, “A man’s character is like a tree, and his reputation like its shadow; the shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing”.

Reputations are funny things. In some instances, they are based entirely on facts. In other cases, they are based on perceptions held by individuals or groups of individuals. By way of comparison, let’s look at two fictional individuals that we will call Clay and Stone.

Clay has a reputation for being a real savvy businessman. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time; a guy who can turn a profit no matter what he does and no matter how adverse the situation may appear to be. It’s as if he has an “inside track” on information that no one else has … because he does. Clay has built his business and his reputation by using inside information to the detriment of those he exploits to his own personal benefit. If Clay were in the securities industry, he would be guilty of insider trading … of using information that is not available to the general public for personal profit … a criminal act. Clay has a reputation for being in the right place at the right time. But, his character is lacking a strong moral compass. In Clay’s mind, what he is doing is wrong only if he gets caught. If history teaches us anything, it teaches us that the sun moves; the shadow shifts; and, ultimately, the deeds done within the shadows of unethical behavior will be exposed and the wrong-doer will be caught.

Stone, on the other hand, has character. As a Great Leader, Stone is “the real deal”. When presented with opportunities, he first checks his personal moral compass and asks, “Is it legal; is it ethical; does it treat others as I would wish to be treated?” If the answer to any of these questions is “no”, he abstains and allows the opportunity to pass him by. Great Leaders such as Stone know that if they conduct themselves and their businesses in a manner that never calls into question their character or their morality, the world will beat a path to their doors for the opportunity to associate with them, to work with them, to do business with them. They will be presented with more opportunities than they will be able to handle; opportunities to grow personally, professionally, and financially.

Reputations are mere shadows of the person they purport to be; always shifting, intangible, subject to the shifting tides of opportunism and “what’s in it for me?”. Character, when it is grounded with a strong moral compass, is unyielding in the face of temptation. When the character of a Great Leader is consistently asking the three questions above, constantly and routinely reminding itself to do what is right both morally and ethically, it is then that this character stays away from temptation and keeps itself morally straight. Great Leaders present their character in their daily conduct and allow it to speak more loudly than any reputation can.

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

Filed Under: Building a Legacy, Dynamic Leadership, Great Leaders, Integrity, Lead by Example, Lead from strength, Lead with Integrity, Leadership, Leadership Qualities, Uncategorized, What characterizes good leaders Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Great Leaders’ Views of Helping Others Varies With Their Personality Type

January 25, 2015 By

Two weeks ago, I shared with you a friend’s view that committing even small acts of kindness required courage, risk, and sacrifice. We’ve had several conversations during the past week and he made a very valid point. It was that, “what does the individual person view as a sacrifice?”. He went on to cite how an outgoing person might view interaction as opposed to how a person who is not outgoing might view the same interaction with another person.

WOW! Has he made a good point. Consider the personality traits of the four COREMAP personality styles.

The Extroverted personalities, the Commanders and Entertainers among us, are very comfortable with interacting with others. In fact, interaction with others energizes both Commanders and Entertainers so much so that they will look for and create opportunities to do so.

  • Commanders tend to be interested in possibilities. For the Commander, helping another person is a step toward a brighter, more productive future. They see a situation requiring action and are born to be action takers. Reaching out to help another satisfies their need to affect outcomes.
  • Entertainers are friendly and tend to be curious about the unknowns. They are very adept at reading people and are excellent communicators and motivators For the Entertainer, that small, helpful, interaction is a chance to learn more about the other person; a chance to see what adventures their action can lead to; an opportunity to help another person reach their true potential.

Introverted personalities, Organizers and Relaters, are drained of their energy by interaction with others. For these individuals, interacting with others requires the commitment of a great deal of energy and for this reason they much prefer to stay quietly in the background

  • Organizers are very observant of details and abhor disorder and chaos. They tend to be good team players and will do what is necessary to ensure the success of the team. For the Organizer, the act of helping another presents the chance to bring order out of confusion; to learn facts and details that will help them solve problems; to take actions that promote the success of the team as a whole.
  • Relaters are very observant and tend to focus on the needs of others. For the Relater, committing a “random act of kindness” is all about meeting the needs of another person; resolving a problem with the aim of promoting the common good. Because these things are uppermost in their minds, Relaters are able to overcome their natural tendency to hang back in order to achieve these goals.

As my friend pointed out, in the final analysis, Great Leaders do not see that small act as a sacrifice. Rather, they see it as a part of their responsibility as a leader … to resolve problems; to take the actions that are required to create the desired outcome and lead the team to success; to help team members reach their full 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

Filed Under: Dynamic Leadership, Great Leaders, How personality type impacts leadership, Lead by Example, Lead from strength, Lead with Integrity, Leadership, Leadership Qualities, What characterizes good leaders Tagged With: , , , , ,

GREAT LEADERS WELCOME 2015 WITH GOALS SET!

January 4, 2015 By

The great motivational speaker Zig Ziglar said that, “A goal properly set is halfway reached”. As we welcome the new year, Great Leaders will ask themselves these questions …

  • Are the goals I’ve set clear in my mind? Great Leaders recognize that, first, they must have a clear vision of the future that they want to create. This cannot be a collection of vague ideas. The Great Leader must have the clarity of thought to know precisely what they desire the future to look like.
  • Am I communicating my vision clearly and with specificity? Great Leaders understand that, having been given the privilege of leading a team, they now have the responsibility to deliver specific goals and objectives. They cannot allow team members to wander aimlessly in the wilderness of generalities that is populated with only the current industry buzzwords. The Great Leader must communicate their vision with clarity and in sufficient detail that team members can see themselves turning that vision into a reality. In essence, they empower the team members to feel the warmth of the goal attainment sun on their faces long before they complete the journey … they can smell the sweet smell of success that beckons them onward.
  • Do I have a road map in my mind that tells me what steps must be taken in order to traverse the path between vision and reality? If the Great Leader is to guide the team, he or she must know how to get from Point A (the vision) to Point B (making that vision a reality). Like the captain of a sailing vessel, the Great Leader must be able to identify the correct route and ensure that it is taken. There must be a specific course set and adhered to; no orders to the helmsman to set a course “thataway”.
  • Have I delegated tasks to the people most qualified to perform them? COREMAP shows us that each personality type has strengths and weaknesses that can significantly impact job performance. For example, if the job requires close attention to detail, it is probably best to assign that responsibility to an individual who has an Organizer personality (lives for policies and procedures that make certain that the job is done right) rather than to the person with a Commander personality (sees the “big picture” and prefers not to deal with details) or the person who has an Entertainer personality (may or may not know where to find the details). If the team has a number of clashing personalities, the Great Leader knows the importance of including a person who has a Relater personality, someone who is skilled at helping team members find common ground and building consensus.

Great Leaders will ask and answer these questions; make adjustments as needed, and then, monitor progress toward the goal. With these questions answered, the Great Leader has taken the all-important first steps toward reaching the goals and turning the vision into reality. Make 2015 your best year ever!

Have you set your goals? Care to share? Click “comment” to share your goals for 2015 and how you will turn those goals into reality.

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

Filed Under: Dynamic Leadership, Goal Setting, Great Leaders, How personality type impacts leadership, Integrity, Lead by Example, Lead from strength, Lead with Integrity, Leadership, Leadership Qualities, Personality Assessment, Personality types Tagged With: , , , ,
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