Passion, Experience & Growth

Leadership

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Through a mentorship program I participated in at AOL in 2009, I had the opportunity to analyze and discuss the nature of leadership. I’d been fortunate throughout my career to work with a number of great leaders, and see a wide range of leadership styles. Taking the best of the attributes I’d seen, I assembled this list characterizing…

A great leader…

is honest, treats all members of their organization with respect, and communicates with integrity.

treats others as he/she expects to be treated, and leads by example.

demands accountability from all members of the organization, including themselves—both taking on appropriate responsibility, and accepting responsibility.

has a clear long-term vision for what the organization will accomplish, and clear understanding of the specific goals that must be achieved to support that vision.

effectively communicates their vision to their management team and the organization as a whole.

is able to clearly articulate a mission for the organization that inspires the members.

is enthusiastic about the organization, the people, and their collective mission.

is humble, and serves the organization.

is confident, and unthreatened by disagreement or conflicting ideas.

listens.

makes it clear that although they will listen to criticism and differing ideas, they are not looking for approval—“it’s not a democracy.”

provides thanks, praise, and other positive feedback at all opportunities (daily) to individuals, groups, and the organization as a whole.

provides constructive criticism and/or reprimand when necessary, and is sensitive to providing this feedback in an appropriate venue.

sets clear priorities, and makes decisions rapidly.

knows when to ask for more information in order to make an informed decision.

is comfortable not always being right, and isn’t discouraged by making mistakes.

recognizes that it’s often better to make a decision and be wrong than it is to fail to make a decision.

encourages a culture in which it is OK to make mistakes and take responsibility for them.

reacts positively to adversity, seeking solutions rather than placing blame.

knows the limit of their expertise and when to seek expert counsel and/or specialized professional support (e.g., logo design).

is genuinely interested in the people that work for them, and makes an effort to learn and address all members of their organization by name.

is willing to spend time with members of their organization at all levels.

Thank you to the great leaders I’ve worked with, who, by their example, made this summary so easy to assemble.