Unlocking Leadership Potential: Give and Take

• Author: Gil Keough
• Posted: July 2, 2007
• Category: Employee Retention, Business Matters
• Tags: No Tags
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Editor’s note: This article — The Qualities of A Successful Leader/Manager — was originally published as a comment to Eric Jackson’s post, Building Smart Leadership. In Part 1, On Humility and Other Leadership Qualities, Gil discussed Humility and Concern for those who serve under you. In his conclusion Gil discusses communication and contribution.
 
Qualities: Communication and Contribution
 
Peter Drucker said: “He who focuses on methods and on exercising downward authority is a subordinate. He who focuses on contribution and on taking responsibility for results is in the strictest sense of the term ‘top management’.”
 
Leadership is essentially the ability to influence and contribute to others. That ability comes from communicating in such a way that people can see how valuable they are and put themselves on a path to realize their potential. When the core emotional needs of individuals aren’t being met, employees can’t offer their best efforts.

A good manager must be able to see in others what they don’t see in themselves and then bring them to a place where they can begin to develop those abilities. As a leader you must contribute to the development of your team members. The only way to do that is by clearly understanding what their needs and wants are. How do you find that out? By communicating with them and working with them to help them accomplish their goals.

Involve your team members in your decision-making process, especially in those decisions that will impact them directly. Ask for their opinions. Always have more than one choice for them to select. This way they will feel engaged and part of the process. This is one of the greatest ways to motivate employees. If they feel a connection to you as their manager they will typically feel the need to do a good job for you so that you will do well. Contributing to their success will motivate them to excel in their work and contribute to your success.

Be gentle. Be kind. Temper criticism with praise. Show EVERYONE respect. Allow them their dignity. Celebrate their victories WITH them. Grieve their losses WITH them. Never blame. It’s all about synergy and win/win mentality. If they win, you win, but they must always win first. Your win will follow as a direct result of your contributions and communication with those under your leadership.
Excelsior!