A leader is only as good as his or her ability to bring out the best in people. Contrary to the traditional image of leader as sole guide of a business unit or organization, those qualities that make a good leader – determination, ambition, creativity and vision – are only effective if they involve others. One person cannot do it all – any successes experienced within an organization are due to the contribution of many players. A successful leader is someone who is able to communicate the corporate vision and encourage and inspire others to work toward it as a team. People may play different roles and be in different locations within one company, but the notion of a team effort is there just the same. Each employee, department and division is integral to the ability to achieve success.
Leaders are visionaries. They see beyond the here and now and prepare for the opportunities ahead. They are also able to see the potential in their employees and encourage them to stretch beyond their comfort zone to achieve their best. They are confident enough to stand back and let others take a bow when the occasion arises. Good leaders an also rare. However, it is not impossible to learn what it takes to lead effectively.
Changes in the business and global environments are making leadership more difficult. As organizations grow and evolve, the demands on the leader to continue to prepare for changes ahead, focus on the vision and inspire others to do the same become more pressing.
As every member of an organization must make a full contribution to the vision by exercising the talents they bring to their role, the dynamics of leadership are essentially about stirring up the fire inside. Leadership is no longer a case of merely following whoever is in charge; it is about cultivating inspiration and working toward a common goal together.