Confidence Is Different Than Bragging

It has often been stated that effective leaders need to be confident in their abilities to lead. These abilities often include meaningful knowledge in the areas of human relations, marketing, presentation skills, agenda forming, and many other aspects necessary for a leader to be effective.

Unfortunately, however, many less than optimally effective leaders replace confidence with bragging. There are few greater obstacles to true effective leadership than false bravado, and unwarranted ego. Most of the effective leaders possess a confidence that drives them to handle whatever obstacles they may face. These leaders know their strengths and weaknesses, and have learned the fine art of judgment. Pseudo-leaders generally do not spend the necessary time, or exert the effort needed to learn the necessities of leadership.

Very few organizations properly search for, locate and qualify their potential leaders. While many organizations claim to have a Candidate Search Committee, more often than not, these committees just try to locate any "warm body" that wants to lead the organization. The highest functioning organizations understand that effective leadership is developed over time, and that there is a need to create, develop and implement a professionally developed, professionally presented, and professionally implemented leadership training program.

Leadership training is not a one-time experience. Rather, it is an ongoing methodology that begins by searching for future leaders. These individuals are generally recommended, and have indicated that they want to learn by both word and deed. Future leaders need to demonstrate commitment by attending meetings, participating in events, and paying attention. Once these individuals are identified, they should be entered into an entry level Leadership Development Program.

Individuals who successfully complete Leadership Development, and continue to indicate commitment as well as personal growth, should be entered into a Phase Two program, which takes individuals with potential and teaches them how to be leaders on a local and/or limited basis. This may be as a Chapter Officer, a Committee Leader, or in numerous other capacities, depending upon the structure of the particular organization, and its specific needs.

The next stage of Leadership Training should be for those that are entering into the next tier of leadership, and should be more in-depth. Then, before anyone should be considered for upper level leadership, they must successfully complete a far more in-depth training, and this must also include certain challenges to demonstrate both commitment, understanding and ability.

Once an individual has been identified as upper-level leadership worthy, a very in-depth ongoing leadership program should be utilized, and these individuals should continue in leadership training throughout their tenure.

Without this necessary training, how can any individual ever truly have the necessary confidence required of upper level leaders. When leaders are not properly trained, they often end up bragging about their abilities or knowledge. Unfortunately, bragging and incomplete or unsuccessful experience, is no substitute for leadership skills and expertise.