Leaders LISTEN Before They Talk

Although, for most, their favorite sound, is the sound of their own voice, in order to become a real leader, one must commit to consistently, effectively LISTEN, before they talk! This is often, quite a bit more difficult, and/ or, challenging, than it might seem and appear, because it is contrary to much, of our day - to - day, human nature. This important behavior requires proceeding, with a high degree of commitment, and discipline, and the understanding, no one, knows - it - all, or has all the answers. How can anyone, fully understand, the perceptions, and priorities, of those one serves, unless/ until, he proceeds, accordingly? With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly, examine, consider, and review, using the mnemonic approach, some of what makes this, such an essential, core component of meaningful, effective leadership.

1. Learn; leadership; lessons: One only listens, effectively, when the objective is, truly learning, from every experience, and conversation, and try to make a quality difference, for the better! This is a core component of real leadership, and when one learns, relevant lessons, he begins to become a better leader!

2. Ideas; ideology; integrity; imagination: True leaders introduce ideas, which inspire and motivate constituents, and align with the ideology, of the organization! This must be combined with absolute integrity, and the imagination, to go beyond, the ordinary, and/ or, same - old, same - old!

3. Serves; system; sustainable solutions: Every leader must understand, who he serves, and proceed, accordingly. He must conceive and perceive of, create, and implement, the best system, focused on creating sustainable solutions!

4. Timely: If the focus is on the past, you aren't leading! Great leaders avoid backward - thinking, same - old,. same - old, ways, as well as realizing, they must avoid procrastination, and be ready, willing and able to make well - considered, timely actions, based on quality, and relevance!

5. Empathy; emphasis; energize; excellence: In order to proceed, with the utmost excellence, he must place his emphasis, on proceeding, with genuine empathy, and a desire to energize others, toward the common good!

6. Needs: Effective leaders emphasize needs, of the organization, and constituents, they serve, and represent!

Are you fit to be a leader? Will you LISTEN, before you talk?

Why Are You Fit To LEAD?

You believe strongly in the heritage, mission, beliefs, and vision/ purpose, of a particular organization, so much so, you want to serve in a leadership position. While groups need individuals, who are ready, willing, and able, to serve, and do so, with the utmost commitment, it's important to first, introspectively, and objectively, examine your reasons for wanting to do so, and whether, you are fit to LEAD! With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly, examine, consider, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what this means and represents, and why it's such a key, core component, and principle, of becoming a true leader.

1. Listen; learn; leadership: No one, no matter how committed, trained, qualified, and otherwise, ready to serve as a leader, has all the answers, and must never believe he does! True leadership begins with the ability and willingness to focus more on effectively listening, to others, in order to discover their perceptions, and priorities, and learn, from every conversation, and experience. Once this is one's attitude, and practice, he becomes more qualified, for meaningful leadership!

2. Empathy; emphasis; energy; excellence; endurance: When one focuses, as above, he becomes capable of consistently proceeding with the utmost degree of genuine empathy! He, then, places his emphasis, and most of his energy, on proceeding with a dedication, to his utmost degree of personal excellence! When this is combined, with focus, and endurance, he becomes more fit, to lead, and make a difference, for the better!

3. Attitude; attention; aptitude; articulate; agreement: True leaders possess a genuine, positive, can - do, attitude, combined with a willingness to pay keen attention, to what, the strengths and weaknesses, of the group, might be! Combining that with a well - developed, quality aptitude, and a willingness, readiness, and ability to clearly articulate a motivating, inspiring message, his focus becomes on creating agreement, for the common good!

4. Delve deeply; deliver; dedication; deserve: Those, fit to lead, delve deeply into options and alternatives, and deliver, their best possible commitment, and service! This requires true dedication, and only, then, will the individual, deserve, and earn, the respect of others!

Will you be fit to LEAD, and make a difference, for the better? Are you, up to the task?

Why Real Leaders Make Others Feel They BELONG?

A positive, can - do, attitude, and a well - developed, skill - set, and relevant aptitude, are certainly, necessities, of effectively leading. However, these alone, will often, be less, than sufficient, unless/ until, a leader focuses on those he serves, inspires, and motivates, them, proceeds with genuine empathy, and consistently, does all he can, to clearly show his constituents (each and every one), how, and why, they BELONG. A reality of organizations, is, for them, to proceed to exist, in a relevant, sustainable manner, is, consistent, persistent growth, which is only possible, when existing constituents, are inspired to getting further involved and committed, and potential ones, are convinced, belonging to this group, is worthwhile, and beneficial! With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly examine, review, and consider, using the mnemonic approach, why this matters.

1. Benefits; beliefs; believable; bring it: A leader must articulate, clearly, the benefits of belonging to the specific organization, rather than merely some of the history, heritage, etc. How do the beliefs of the potential constituent, match - up, with the core principles, of the group? Is the leader believable, because, unless, others, believe in him, they will generally, pay little attention? A true leader realizes, he must bring it (his best), every day, in every way!

2. Efforts; empathy; emphasis; energize: How will others perceive your efforts? Will you proceed, with the utmost degree of genuine empathy, so as to emphasize, what means the most, do them, and, thus, energize them, and the group, as a whole?

3. Listen; learn; leadership: To most of us, the sound, of our own voice, seems to be our favorite sound! However, effective leadership comes from the discipline, to listen far more than speaking, and do so effectively, in order to constantly, and consistently, learn, from every conversation and experience!

4. Options; opportunities; organized: Only when one considers various, viable options and alternatives, with an open - mind, will he positioned, to recognize, and take advantage of the finest opportunities, to benefit the group! It requires being organized, enough, to effectively, and efficiently, make a difference, for the better, in a well - considered, timely manner!

5. Needs: Nothing one does, will inspire and motivate others, until/ unless, it focuses on the actual, as well as perceived, needs, of the stakeholders, and organization!

6. Generate goodwill; growth: Groups either, consistently undergo, relevant growth, or they will fail to be sustainable! It's essential to proceed, at all times, in a way, which generates goodwill, by clearly focusing on the best interests, and common good, rather than any personal/ political agenda, and/ or, self - interest!

True leaders show others, they BELONG! Are you the right person, to be a leader?