There are certain key traits effective leaders exhibit. Some of these traits are inherent and some are learned. The make up of the "leader" can have a direct affect on the overall effectiveness in goal achievement, and worthy of dissection. What makes effective leadership?
Yukl describes several personality traits of effective leadership. These are energy level and stress tolerance, self-confidence, internal locus of control, emotional stability and maturity, power motivation, personal integrity, narcissism, achievement orientation, and need for affiliation. Taking a look into where I am in my career path and how I got here I can agree with how these traits were defined in my actions and thoughts along the way.
It is important to have a high energy and stress tolerance in today's world. Face it, we live in a fast paced world with no limits on stressful situations. If you can't keep up the pace you will risk being passed by, or worse... stagnate. A leaders job is to inspire and motivate others, to make them better. I once read that people will put in 80% of the effort you expect. So, if you want your team operating at a varsity level you must perform like a pro. If you want your people to put in the extra effort needed to complete a job or task you must set the example by being the first one in and the last to leave. We lead by example and the energy you put in to your team will affect the results you get out of your people.
Stress tolerance is a learned trait. No one comes out of the gate prepared to handle stress with the expertise of a seasoned pro. It takes trial by fire to be able to keep your cool under pressure. Fortunately for me I served in the US Navy and experienced a high-stress environment on a daily basis. We train how we fight, and fighting is the most stressful endeavor a human can endure. So, for me when the going gets tough I can always look at the situation and think to myself, "well at least I'm not floating on a big gray ship in unfriendly waters". That always seems to give me the perspective to handle most situations. Plus, if you want your people to keep calm they must learn it from you. I never let my team see me sweat. There is always a solution, you just have to find it.
In regards to locus of control I am an "internal". I am the master of my destiny and in control over my actions. I am also responsible for myself and the shortcomings I may encounter along the way. Personal accountability is a dying trait in todays world, but probably one of the most influential traits a leader can possess. My boss has a saying, "Look in the mirror before you look out the window". We can either focus on the things we can't control like the market place, economical trends, buying habits, or financial restrictions and let these define us, OR we can look at how we react to these external stimuli. I choose to focus on what I have control over, and I pass this on to my team. There is no sense wasting energy on things outside of your control.
Emotional stability and maturity are also learned traits. In my opinion these traits grow stronger with age and experience. I don't sweat the small stuff like I did in my earlier years, and I also am fully aware of my strengths and weaknesses. I don't get too high with highs or too low with the lows, but I do get ecstatic with progression.
Power motivation can be a strong influence for a leader, but must be used with caution. I used to have a goal. This goal was to see over $500K in my annual income tax statement. At one point I was probably willing to make some serious sacrifices in my life to accomplish this goal, but for what? Would I give up the time with my family (which I didn't have when I set this goal)? Would I postpone all the life-experiences I have received for higher-end vacations when I am older? My answer, no. Everybody has that comfort zone they should strive for where the bills are paid, money is saved and invested, and a balance of work-life exists. Zig Ziegler once said, "if you want to be successful, make those around you successful". That to me is power motivation!
Integrity is doing what you mean and meaning what you do. There is no room for leadership with little integrity. If a person will lie about a little thing they will probably lie about the bigger ones. When I pass on from this world I want to leave behind people who think of me and say, "Man, that Jody Powell was a stand up guy". Remember, you have to look at yourself in the mirror each morning and night before you lay down your head.
The other traits of narcissism, achievement orientation, and need for affiliation are not as important to me as the above. I do what I do to be a good leader, father, and husband. I am always looking to better myself and those around me. I keep my eyes and ears open for new opportunities to showcase my talents and utilize the talents of my team. I have been fortunate to have had some great influential leaders in my life, and I strive to pass on the torch. As leaders it is our responsibility to maximize these traits, be the best at utilizing them, and pass them on to others. We should always leave a place a little better than when we found it, and that is the most profound leadership trait in the books.
JP
Yukl describes several personality traits of effective leadership. These are energy level and stress tolerance, self-confidence, internal locus of control, emotional stability and maturity, power motivation, personal integrity, narcissism, achievement orientation, and need for affiliation. Taking a look into where I am in my career path and how I got here I can agree with how these traits were defined in my actions and thoughts along the way.
It is important to have a high energy and stress tolerance in today's world. Face it, we live in a fast paced world with no limits on stressful situations. If you can't keep up the pace you will risk being passed by, or worse... stagnate. A leaders job is to inspire and motivate others, to make them better. I once read that people will put in 80% of the effort you expect. So, if you want your team operating at a varsity level you must perform like a pro. If you want your people to put in the extra effort needed to complete a job or task you must set the example by being the first one in and the last to leave. We lead by example and the energy you put in to your team will affect the results you get out of your people.
Stress tolerance is a learned trait. No one comes out of the gate prepared to handle stress with the expertise of a seasoned pro. It takes trial by fire to be able to keep your cool under pressure. Fortunately for me I served in the US Navy and experienced a high-stress environment on a daily basis. We train how we fight, and fighting is the most stressful endeavor a human can endure. So, for me when the going gets tough I can always look at the situation and think to myself, "well at least I'm not floating on a big gray ship in unfriendly waters". That always seems to give me the perspective to handle most situations. Plus, if you want your people to keep calm they must learn it from you. I never let my team see me sweat. There is always a solution, you just have to find it.
In regards to locus of control I am an "internal". I am the master of my destiny and in control over my actions. I am also responsible for myself and the shortcomings I may encounter along the way. Personal accountability is a dying trait in todays world, but probably one of the most influential traits a leader can possess. My boss has a saying, "Look in the mirror before you look out the window". We can either focus on the things we can't control like the market place, economical trends, buying habits, or financial restrictions and let these define us, OR we can look at how we react to these external stimuli. I choose to focus on what I have control over, and I pass this on to my team. There is no sense wasting energy on things outside of your control.
Emotional stability and maturity are also learned traits. In my opinion these traits grow stronger with age and experience. I don't sweat the small stuff like I did in my earlier years, and I also am fully aware of my strengths and weaknesses. I don't get too high with highs or too low with the lows, but I do get ecstatic with progression.
Power motivation can be a strong influence for a leader, but must be used with caution. I used to have a goal. This goal was to see over $500K in my annual income tax statement. At one point I was probably willing to make some serious sacrifices in my life to accomplish this goal, but for what? Would I give up the time with my family (which I didn't have when I set this goal)? Would I postpone all the life-experiences I have received for higher-end vacations when I am older? My answer, no. Everybody has that comfort zone they should strive for where the bills are paid, money is saved and invested, and a balance of work-life exists. Zig Ziegler once said, "if you want to be successful, make those around you successful". That to me is power motivation!
Integrity is doing what you mean and meaning what you do. There is no room for leadership with little integrity. If a person will lie about a little thing they will probably lie about the bigger ones. When I pass on from this world I want to leave behind people who think of me and say, "Man, that Jody Powell was a stand up guy". Remember, you have to look at yourself in the mirror each morning and night before you lay down your head.
The other traits of narcissism, achievement orientation, and need for affiliation are not as important to me as the above. I do what I do to be a good leader, father, and husband. I am always looking to better myself and those around me. I keep my eyes and ears open for new opportunities to showcase my talents and utilize the talents of my team. I have been fortunate to have had some great influential leaders in my life, and I strive to pass on the torch. As leaders it is our responsibility to maximize these traits, be the best at utilizing them, and pass them on to others. We should always leave a place a little better than when we found it, and that is the most profound leadership trait in the books.
JP
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