LEADING CHANGE: What Do "THEY" Want in a LEADER?
The NUMBER ONE Quality...Might Just Surprise You.
Last time we were exploring the differences between LEADING and LEADERSHIP. And the definition of LEADING EDGE…
If you missed that part you can always look back to last week’s message on LEADERSHIP NOW. One of the quotes we looked at was from John Maxwell…on CHARACTER and INTEGRITY.
Did you realize that your character could actually limit you, or help advance you as a leader?
Honesty and Integrity are qualities we find in most all true leaders. Leading does reflect many of the leadership qualities that we’ve always heard about…vision, powerful communication, etc. There’s so much more to leading than first meets the eye.
It’s true that leaders can have a powerful influence on others…but so can losers!
Leadership is mostly about influence!
If someone hangs around with the wrong crowd they will soon be lead into the jungle, having their own “influence” on that individual, though they would seldom be described by their actions as a “leader.”
Having Influence is something that happens by association.
If you and I spend major time together, only one of two things can happen;
Either you will become more like me, or I will become “influenced” to be more like you.
But as a “leading edge” individual, you can stay on your path, headed toward your life target, in spite of the influence others may try and exert on YOU.
In a survey on the most-desired characteristics and qualities of leadership, a long list of things was presented to the respondents on what we truly wanted in our leaders.
Here’s the list…
Ambitious
Caring
Competent
Cooperative
Courageous
Dependable
Determined
Fair-minded
Forward-looking
Honest
Imaginative
Inspiring
Intelligent
Loyal
Mature
Self-controlled
Supportive
Straight-forward
The number one quality?
Honesty!
88% said they wanted their leaders to be honest. Just telling the truth. Being someone who can be trusted.
The most desired quality in a leader is HONESTY! Becoming Trustworthy.
My friend, anyone is capable of that leadership quality. It’s a big part of THE LEADERSHIP MINDSET…
Once upon a time, that was a common value, now seemingly all too rare. Reserved it seems, only for leaders.
The other qualities?
· 71% said they wanted someone who was “forward-looking,” a visionary. Someone who could look beyond today and the short-term, and see the excitement and promise of the future.
· 66% said a leader should be COMPETENT. Seems it’s a good thing to know a little about what you’re doing. To keep up the learning curve and not just depend on experience, since the marketplace and life is always growing and changing.
· And, 65% said they wanted a leader who was INSPIRING!
Inspiring?
That’s not really necessary now is it?
How about just some training, just the facts. Wouldn’t that be enough?
While so many individuals are consumed or concerned about things that don’t really matter in the big picture of life, what we should be concerned about is being
“un-inspired.” About your life or work or goals or (fill-in-the-blank).
Inspiration is powerful. It’s fuel and fire and energy that moves us to action.
And individuals who are honest and competent, with the ability to inspire others and propel them into a brighter future will most certainly become leaders. Or already are.
Have a Great Weekend,
Michael
EDITORS NOTE:
Michael York is an accomplished AUTHOR and SPEAKER...as well as the Co-Founder and Host of CETV.
In 2022 He was named “Most Unique Leadership Coach” by Corporate Vision International, and in 2023 was awarded the “Transformation Coach of the Year” by Wealth and Finance magazine.
He is an award-winning CONSULTANT and COACH retained by ORGANIZATIONS for his contribution to the improvement of HUMAN POTENTIAL, PERSONALLY as well as PROFESSIONALLY.
He is the RADICAL IMPROVEMENT CATALYST behind major advancements with his clients over two decades and the EVIDENCE of his EXPERTISE is confirmed by empirical RESULTS, some of which can be seen at www.MichaelYork.com