Bill Owens

There’s leaders, and there’s everyone else.

leaders know the wayWhat separates leaders from everyone else? It isn’t the title, or the authority. It isn’t even a long history of successful projects, or even companies. It’s five simple things that most people do at one time or another in their lives, many people do frequently, and few people do consistently. Read on and see if you can identify yourself in these five traits:

Leaders seek the future. “What can this become?” Is a question that leaders ask of themselves every day. “I can do this if…” is a statement leaders make every day. “Step one is…” begins the plans of every leader reaching their goals. Leaders are always moving forward to how they envision the future.

“Transformational leaders don’t start by denying the world around them. Instead, they describe a future they’d like to create.”­ – Seth Godin

Leaders set the vision. Once the future is envisioned, leaders decide how they and everyone around them will get there. Leaders have a very clear plan on the direction to move, the role everyone will play, and the outcome at each step.

“Leaders make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is not leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to changes things for the better.” – Harry Truman

Leaders serve others. The ultimate goal in the life activities of a leader is to better the situation of everyone they come into contact with. This is all done in the pursuit of the future goals, following the visionary plan, however it is accomplished through helping others succeed to their fullest extent.

“True leadership lies in guiding others to success. In ensuring that everyone is performing at their best, doing the work they are pledged to do and doing it well.” – Bill Owens

Leaders develop future leaders. When one task is completed, one project achieves its objectives, one team wins the prize, or one company leads its industry, one moment of success is marked in time. But, the accomplishment of developing someone into a leader who also develops future leaders, sets in motion a series of successes that are endless.

“As we look out ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others” – Bill Gates

 

 

Are people born leaders or nurtured?

joy of leadership is helping others succeedWe all know larger than life leaders.  Those we think are born leaders.  They are frequently on television, the internet, and newspapers.  We have studied them in the history books.  They are the Presidents, CEOs, Head Coaches, and Generals that command our attention.  If you are not just like these leaders, then you must not be a born leader.  So how did they get where they are?

Vince Lombardi said, “Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.”  I agree with Lombardi, that leaders are truly made.  Here are a few ideas on what makes great leaders:

“True leadership lies in guiding others to success.”– Bill Owens

“A good objective of leadership[ is to help those who are doing poorly to do well, and to help those who are doing well do even better.” – Jim Rohn

“True leadership must be for the benefit of the followers, not the enrichment of the leaders.” – Robert Townsend

“Management is about arranging and telling.  Leadership is about nurturing and enhancing.”– Tom Peters

We are all gifted with abilities that if used to their fullest can help others succeed – and that is the definition of leadership.  The nurturing comes in the seeing of what true leadership really is.

“No one is born as a leader, but everyone is born to lead.”

 

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