Leadership - Basic Activities

Leaders are not designated. Rather, they are chosen by the people they lead. If a person can not "lead" without formal assigned authority then that person may be the boss but they are not the leader. There are basic activities that a leader practices:

Articulates a Vision: Develops and explains a credible future for the group to strive for. Shows how the group supports and achieves that vision.

Sets Expectations: Talks about results and ensures everyone understands what they personally must accomplish to be a successful member of the group.

Communicates: Establishes means of communication between members of the group. Ensures a shared message within the group. Opens lines of communication with customers, suppliers, and other groups. Breaks down barriers to open communication.

Practices Teamwork: Encourages members to work together rather than engage in negative competition. Breaks down barriers between group members and other groups. Lets everyone see that the group's success multiplies when its members work together in harmony.

Innovates: Looks for new ways of doing things that improve the group's performance. Asks colleagues in other groups for insights. Encourages ideas from group members. Never accepts "we have always done it that way" or "if it is not broken do not fix it" as an answer. Instead, continues to seek to improve the group's performance.

Models Integrity: Delivers what is promised and only promises what can be delivered. If something changes and promises can not be kept, immediately notifies those what are expecting something to be delivered or accomplished. Ensures everyone knows what has been promised by when. Admits to errors and seeks resolution. Never takes credit for someone else' work or results. Ensures credit is given where credit is due. Recognizes that membership in a team is insufficient for getting credit for the team's results.

Displays Confidence: Understands own personal strengths and weaknesses. Knows how to contribute to the organization. Does not back down when challenged. Presents facts, negotiates for things that are important to the group's capability. Does background work and due-diligence so that facts are clear and their presentation is objective.

Uses Common Sense: Sticks to logic. Logic ensures a sound and analytical solution to problems. Recommends what makes sense and can be supported by objective fact. Does not get bogged down in emotion or petty bickering. Does not rely on pre-conceived notions.