Leadership: 'the ability to inspire followship' #5

To be a Leader... (now for the 'Shoulds' rather than the 'Musts'...) One SHOULD:

Have Had Different Work Experiences

1. Have experience in both line and staff positions
2. Be exposed to different disciplines like Marketing, Manufacturing & Finance
3. Use your experience to be sensitive to different view points

 Have Developed an International Orientation

1. Take the opportunity to live or travel extensively outside ones own country
2. Build understanding of different cultures
3. Be comfortable and effective in working and travelling in the 'global village'
4. Speak a foreign language if possible
5. Use international experience in business dealings
6. Practice diversity as a real competitive advantage

Be Financially Adept

1. Understand and be comfortable with P&L and Balance Sheet Management
2. Have good analytical skills
3. Be able to grasp detail
4. Be comfortable using basic financial tools
5. Comprehend and use economic data and trends to advantage
6. Understand financial markets

Leadership: 'the ability to inspire followship' #4

To be a leader one MUST:

Develop Good Strong Subordinates for Succession

1. Look constantly for people smarter than oneself
2. Spot future leaders and mentor them
3. Set high standards in people selection
4. Take chances, especially with young people
5. Get 'uncommon' results from 'common' people
6. Promote based on Values, Vision and Performance
7. Make career development a top priority

Be an Optimist and have a Sense of Humour

1. Laugh constantly about life's quirks and especially oneself
2. Display enthusiasm and infect others with it
3. Kid other people in a non malicious way
4. Always be an optimist, especially in the darkest hour
5. Have a persistent, can-do attitude
6. Develop accurate self-assessments, and change accordingly
7. Appreciate luck

Leadership: 'the ability to inspire followship' #3

To be a leader one MUST:

Be a Catalyst for Change

1. Champion new ideas
2. Tolerate and support unconventional people
3. Be willing to change everything except the basic values
4. Keep learning, self improving, expanding and renewing
5. Be intolerant of the status quo
6. Drive constantly for better solutions
7. Be flexible

Have Earned the Trust of the Organisation

1. Build confidence and credibility
2. Put the best interests of the company and its people above self
3. Know that personal success comes only from group success
4. Lack 'turf' consciousness
5. Be perceived as a leader - not just a manager
6. Lavish praise on others, accept blame personally
7. Create an atmosphere that makes everyone want to work for you

Be a Listener and an Enabler

1. Be visible
2. Have enough modesty to doubt and question. Don't have all the answers
3. Be a quality coach to others
4. Show belief in team play and horizontal relationships
5. Participate openly and encourage unafraid plain talk
6. Ask for help when needed and shamelessly accept
7. Say thank you and reward others
8. Get uncommon results from common people