To Be An Effective Leader, Do A Check-up From The Neck Up

Before we can effectively lead anyone, we must take an introspective view of ourselves. We must do a check-up from the neck up. We must be certain that the thoughts and attitudes we hold are in alignment with the role we perform.

Check Your Vision

As a leader you need to have vision of what you want your team to accomplish. A vision is more than just a statement; it is a complete picture with all the details of your accomplished goal. During my leadership workshops, the participants do an exercise during which they write a paragraph that describes the vision they hold for their organization. As I watch them complete this exercise, the one thing that strikes me is that most of the participants are not smiling. If the vision they are creating does not inspire them, how can they possibly expect it to inspire others?

When you create a vision, do not be held back by perceived limitations. When your vision is exciting enough, you and your team members can find a way to overcome them. When our country's leaders had a vision of putting a man on the moon there were many apparent limitations, including not having the technology available to make the vision a reality. However, when the vision came alive to the individuals who worked on the NASA team, they discovered the technology that was required to make the vision happen.

Make sure your vision excites you if you want it to excite your team.

Check Your Attitude

As leaders, we must deal with many stresses and challenges on a daily basis. Sometimes they can cause us to feel overwhelmed. If we are not feeling positive we must do whatever is necessary to change our attitude before we meet with our team. Our team looks to us for encouragement. Part of our role as a leader is to help our team members move forward with a positive attitude.

As leaders, we must be diligent about our attitude so we stay motivated. It is the only way we can possibly motivate others.

Check Your Behavior

Everyone looks to the leader to determine what he or she should do. In order to be an effective leader, your behavior must match your message. You must model the behavior you want your team members to follow. If you say one thing and do something different, your team will follow what you do and not what you say.

If you want your group to meet their commitments, make sure you meet yours. If you want your associates to do whatever it takes to get a project done on time, then roll up your sleeves and pitch in to do what you can to help them meet their deadline. Like it or not, your behavior is the benchmark that everyone will look to and use as a guide for their own. Demonstrate what you want them to do by modeling the appropriate behavior for them.

This check-up from the neck up is not a one-time event. Just as we need to take our cars in for periodic check-ups to assure they run effectively, we need to do periodic check-ups to make sure that we are effective in our roles as leaders.

About The Author

Della Menechella is a speaker, author, and trainer who inspires people to achieve greater success from the inside out. She is a contributing author to Thriving in the Midst of Change and the author of the videotape The Twelve Commandments of Goal Setting. She can be reached at della@dellamenechella.com. Subscribe to free Peak Performance Pointers e-zine - send blank e-mail to mailto:subscribe@dellamenechella.com.

---

Who Is Randy Gage and Why Is He One of My Mentors and Heroes?

Who is Randy Gage? I first read about him in... Read More

5 Tips to Help You Win Big & Become a Village Hero

A few years ago, I returned to my impoverished village... Read More

Common Mistakes Extraordinary Leaders Dont Make

When people make a decision (either consciously or unconsciously) to... Read More

Wanted: A Dictionary-Perfect Leader

Answers are often before our very eyes or in front... Read More

Listening Like a Leader

Our studies of the most effective people in corporate America... Read More

5 Leadership Power Principles!

95% of Workers Fail Because of This...But They Can Fix... Read More

Using Your Intuition

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our... Read More

Cub Scout Leader Outdoor Experience

Recently I attended Cub Scout Leader Outdoor Experience training. This... Read More

Ten Characteristics of Leadership

Many people are interested in the characteristics of a great... Read More

Father Knows Best

A good strong example of a family leader would be... Read More

The Defining Moment: The Straw That Stirs The Drink Of Motivational Leadership (Part One)

Decades ago, as a rifle platoon commander in the Marines,... Read More

Getting Things Done, Without the Sweat!

How do you get your people on your side? And... Read More

Are You Playing or Practicing Leadership?

Anne was a new supervisor, and like many new supervisors... Read More

Rationalize Success Away

I was invited to do a Leadership workshop at a... Read More

The Sink Or Swim Approach To Leadership

Looking around in most corporate environments today you'll find mission,... Read More

Four Obstacles to Exceptional Leadership--Part 1

"Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of... Read More

5 Human Capital Asset Enrichment Strategies for Leaders!

Here's a really simple way to think about the ins... Read More

You Make The Difference

What do you think makes your company successful? Your newest... Read More

The Seven Army Values - Theyre Not Just For The Military

The Army defines seven values that soldiers should strive to... Read More

Ten Steps To Effective Leadership

Many people end up in a supervisory position or SOHO... Read More

Wisdom From The Rock

He grew up in Brooklyn, the son of an ex-con... Read More

Boy Scouts of America and Leadership Coaching

The Center for Management and Organization Effectiveness talks with Dennis... Read More

Leadership A Perspective From Tao

Tao Te Ching said to be written by Lao Tzu... Read More

Always Be Open To Learning

"We should not only use all the brains we have,... Read More

Business Leadership: How Much is in Your Credibility Bank Account?

Business leaders have more than a title on their doors.... Read More

Precious Moments

There is too much learning out there that we earn... Read More

Leading In The Face Of Disaster

The date was Saturday, April 11, 1970, the time 13:13... Read More

Benefits of Leadership Skill Training

DESCRIPTION CMOE's Leadership Skill Training addresses a wide range of... Read More

Make The Elephant Jump -- Leading With A Kind Heart

Leadership is not about getting people to do what they... Read More

Leaders Click It? Into Gear!

"Click It" Into Gear!Ever wonder how two people can be... Read More

People or Objects? - - You Decide

"How you think determines how you act. How you... Read More

Character Traits of Extraordinary Leaders

When people make a decision (either consciously or unconsciously) to... Read More

The Three Essential Attributes of a Leader: The Demonstrated Abilities

Leaders need to:1. Have a vision to which they are... Read More