Leaders have been defined as "change catalyst": individuals who get people to change their behavior and do things they would not otherwise have done.

 

Recently, however, there has been a notable change.  Having strong leadership skills now means more than just having the ability to persuade. In fact, based on news reports over the past many months, corporate and government representatives have shaken people's confidence in the future.  People are in an uproar about the lack of ethics leaders have recently shown and their un-kept promises. 

 

 

Consequently leaders must demonstrate what it is that they espouse, as people want to hear about actions - not promises - and want to see results.  Whatever a leader advocates, he/she must demonstrate in words, deeds and actions. It must be a mindset that clearly demonstrates excellent self-command.  People will follow only someone with new ideas that are based on creating opportunity for everyone to win, not just the leader and his cronies. 

 

No longer will people follow CEO's whose ideas benefit only companies and their bottom line, as they outsource employees' futures and company's know how.  No longer will people support government representatives who claim that "the buck stops here" with much chest thumping and posturing. Who then proceed to blame everyone and everything for past errors, interspersing with: "of course I take full responsibility".

 

Interestingly, a survey administered to over 20,000 people on what makes a leader credible yielded the following list:

 

In the table below, indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statements on the left by circling the appropriate number on the right. 

 

 

 

 

When finished, ask yourself: "Are you where you want to be?"  You may draw your own conclusions on the results or feel free to e-mail me to setup a free, no obligation session on leadership skills.

I offer you one take-away from this exercise: do NOT make the mistake to believe that you are what you think.

 

You are not what you think. Thinking is a tool not who you are. You can however experience what you think. There is a big difference here. When you understand this principle you will tap into one very powerful knowledge and skill that you can have as a leader, which is the science of results oriented thinking.

 

This is the understanding that things show up in your life because you are creating the thinking, actions and circumstances that produce them. 

 

If upon review of the homework you are not exactly satisfied with the results, do not just ponder and wonder.  Take action:

Many before you, in doing just that, eventually realized their vision, galvanized people, spearheaded challenging projects, and overall fostered change for the better.

 

This should help you get unstuck.

 

 

Good luck!