Leadership Advice
Be Ethical A good leader has a clear sense of right and wrong, of justice and injustice. Certainly, we will argue about the exact dividing lines, and it is important to realize that different people have different definitions. Be open and willing to explore the limits of what is and what is not ethical. However, a good leader will inspire others by example, and will have the respect of their followers.
Appreciate Diversity We are most comfortable with those who are most like us. We learn the most from those who are not like us. We grow when we learn. Everyone has potential to be a leader in some capacity. You should discover what your members talents are and help them to develop. Allow the diversity in your group to develop into a strength.
Be able to say WHY A thoughtful leader will be able to give a reason for every action, rule, or decision. "Because we have always done it that way" or "Because it's easiest" are rarely acceptable answers. If you can't answer why, then consider that you may be wrong, or that there might be a better way. Those who challenge you are not trying to make your life difficult, they probably want things to go as well as you do. Once you can answer why, challenge other leaders to meet this goal, too.
Admit your mistakes Being able to admit fault, own up to errors, and take the blame is a rare trait in leaders. To be a leader is not to be perfect, but to act as perfectly as possible. Admitting your mistakes quickly and honestly will allow you to fix them more quickly, as well as gaining the respect of those around you. The difficult question comes when you must accept the blame for those acting under your direction; when does accepting responsibility become covering the ineptitude of others?
Be Fair Treat people fairly. Be equitable in your decision making. Don't play favorites. Be honest with people. Excessive waffling or politeness to save people's feelings can be counter-productive. There is no need to be harsh, but risking the displeasure of others is a fact of life for leaders.
Know Yourself What do you really care about? What will you take a stand about? You usually need to pick your own battles, so understand what is and what is not acceptable to you. If you have clearly defined your personal values, you will know when you are willing to be flexible, and when you should take a stand.
Take care of yourself You cannot be effective if you are stressed out. Learn what your limits are. Learn to say "no" and to delegate. Learn to take a break and regain a sense of perspective. Learn to play. Have fun with your job. If you are hysterical, no one will want to deal with you.
Take Risks Try something new; take a chance. If it seems that the first word you say when you hear something new is "no", think about why you are unwilling to take a risk. Take a chance. Run for a position you are not completely sure you have all the skills for. Challenge yourself to grow.
Plan Well Be organized and plan in advance. It is least productive to not plan well and have a lot of crises. Crisis management, in itself, is very impoprtant and can often help squelch major catastrophies. For every project, plan out the big picture - what is your objective? Then fill in the details: who will do what, when. Once the ideal project is set, think about your back up plans. Brainstorm those things that could go wrong, and know what you will do. What if it rains, or no one shows up? What if the light bulb in the projector burns out? What if there are no programs, etc. If you have a reasonable grasp of your resources and what you can and can not do at the last minute, you will be much more calm. You will also be able to handle the unexpected crisis with a sense of calm and confidence.
Work Hard Every leader should be willing to work hard. never ask others to do things you are not willing to do yourself. A leader who works side by side with others, cleaning up, stuffing envelopes or other "grungy" tasks can inspire by example, and will not run the risk of "seeing themselves as better than others". Knowing what is really involved in the low level tasks will allow you to better gauge the time, energy, and naumber of people necessary to do the job right.
Listen Well You are not the only person in your group. Learn to listen. Learn to modify your opinions and goals to reflect those of the group. You are not a dictator; you help the group meet its goals. Often people listen without hearing. Take the time to reflect what you hear back to people, and to help find solutions if they perceive problems. Encourage them to learn new skills by confronting problems. Learn to say nothing, and to let others take some control.
Take care of others If you care about those around you, and strive to make their day just a little bit better, you will have performed a crucial leadership service. Remember to compliment as well as criticize. You can always get more out of people by treating them nicely, and with respect and concern than by being rude, abrupt, and callous.
Be Humble No one is indispensable. If you vanished, others would fill your shoes. Be aware that you are not indispensable, and share your knowledge and skills with others to make them capable to lead in your absense. In other words, train people how to lead.
Be a good follower We can't all be leaders all of the time. Every leader needs followers. Be able to give up control and to be a follower. Often, you can learn more about what makes a good or bad leader by being a follower.
Don't do it all yourself Know your limits. If you can't do it all, pass it on. If it doesn't get done correctly, then it doesn't. You cannot do it all yourself!
