Twenty Points of Leadership

Here are my basic principles of leadership. They are not in any particular order:

1. Leaders are NOT God. Therefore, good leaders do not act like they have all the answers, but they do seek good answers.

2. Good leaders surround themselves with smart people, especially ones that are smarter than themselves in particular areas. Good leaders seek advice, but they also know from whom to seek that advice.

3. Good leaders fully are capable of going against the advice they get, if necessary. In the final analysis, it is the leader’s head that is on the chopping block, not other’s.

4. Praise good performance. Treat people well. If someone needs to be removed from a job (reassigned, laid off, fired), good leaders counsel with that individual so that there can be improvement in the future – on the next job.

5. Section 121 applies to all aspects of life. Remember, "it is the nature and disposition of almost all men [and women], as soon as they get a little authority, … they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion" ( D&C 121:39).

6. When things get intense, pray.

7. Good leaders take a sincere interest in the work of people below them in the organizational hierarchy. Good leaders give good advice without being intimidating or annoying.

8. When basic principles and morals are involved, good leaders remain firm.

9. No meeting should go over 50 minutes, except Church meetings, which can go on forever (just kidding). A good leader keeps committees on task. Otherwise, meetings devolve into general philosophizing sessions because people love to hear their own voice. When this happens, nothing is accomplished.

10. Meetings should have agendas. Pass out the agendas prior to the meeting so that committee members can think about the relevant issues. Good agendas usually give enough background information so that the preliminaries do NOT have to be extensively discussed during the meeting.

11. When trying to solve problems, good leaders render their opinion to others honestly without being sycophantic. Good leaders tell people what they need to hear, not necessarily what they want to hear.

12. Subordinates are not slaves, and they are not to be treated as such. If an employee wants to leave an employment, good leaders assist those employees to get another job, by giving appropriate references, etc.

13. Good leaders treat employees and customers in a friendly manner, but also avoid turning the work situation into a “social club.” Livelihoods succeed when people work hard. Otherwise the business fails.

14. Good leaders give an honest day's work. For example, Church work in the employment situation should be avoided.

15. Communication is key. Good leaders seek appropriate help when they encounter problems. Good leaders keep little problems from becoming big ones.

16. There is no such thing as fast money. Good leaders earn their money the hard way -- WORK.

17. Keep employee morale high. Employee loyalty to good leaders translates into hard work.

18. Good leaders do not lock themselves up in an office. They know what’s going on around them in the workplace. Good leaders spot problems and fix them.

19. Good leaders never flirt with employees (of the opposite sex). The workplace MUST be free of sexual harassment.

20. Good leaders are an example to employees, not in self-righteousness, but in humility.

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Copyright 2008 S.Faux (Email: foxgoku54 [at] gmail [d0t] c0m; URL: http://mormoninsights.blogspot.com). Readers may distribute this post for noncommercial purposes provided such distributing is of the entire post, including author's copyright and contact information. All other rights reserved.




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