When Leaders Are at Their Best
At the start of The Leadership Challenge book in the first chapter, it discusses a success leadership story that generates thought into what the author has done in her own past and what can be done from here on out to create a high level of leadership success. In further reading into this chapter she starts sees the importance level of relationships to a leader and how the focus of work being first to now, the people doing the work …show more content…
It is important to learn what values are to you and to know how to share what you value to your team and others around you. It is all too common for anyone to get in a position and not realize how these things are important. As a supervisor, the author can feel she is doing what she feel is best but has to understand how far can she truly lead if her team does not know what purpose she is leading for. As an outspoken person, her family has a clear understanding of what values are important to her based on her words and actions. She does not have to say specifically what her values are, but when it is family, who else would know her better? This does not always trail into work the same way. Some people may grasp the type of person she is and understand her values, but she cannot expect this from anyone. Some may think she is harsh and uncaring just because she is outspoken, but of course not true. This is a great reason for her to voice her morals and values to the people she works with and should allow them to see these morals and values through her …show more content…
When she received her first position as a supervisor there was no perspective of being a leader, but to only supervise staff and make sure the work is completed. With limited guidance into the position, all she could think about is if she was willing to do a given task and follow policy then her team will be more willing to do the same. Leading by example is well stated in a web article by Dharmesh Shah (Shah, 2014, para 7):
The best way to earn respect, to earn trust, and to earn the right to lead others is to lead not by word but by example. When I know you truly believe what you say – because your actions support what you say – then I will start to trust you. Then I will start to respect you. Then I will truly start to follow you.
As a leader, it is important to demonstrate the way by positive example to gain credibility.
It is important for your team to know everyone is in it together. The author always makes a conscious effort to ensure when she speaks to and of her team that she uses “we” instead of “you” and “I”. This allows not only her team but other to know their work is a group effort. This can also lead the team to understand the work they do is not a single effort but they must rely on each other as a group. One must keep in mind to get an area to feel like and act like a team can take time with both fellow teammates and the leader. It is up to the leader to maintain the efforts of