Presidents’ Day

 

As we celebrate Presidents’ Day, I find myself thinking about the role of the President as a leader. The President of the United States is the official leader of our country and the ultimate leader of our military. He is also referred to as the leader of the free world.  Those roles are true and fitting. Responsibilities and power come with his elected position. He is a leader by title. However, holding a position in title does not make one a great leader of people.  Regardless of your political affiliation, I think that most will agree that we have had presidents from both parties who were in fact great leaders.  Furthermore, we have had even more who were leaders in title and never mastered the art of truly leading people. Never confuse a title with true quality leadership. Many title holders are great leaders, some are not. On the other hand, many great leaders have no title at all.

 

Happy Presidents’ Day!

Presidents' Day

 

As we celebrate Presidents’ Day, I found myself thinking about the role of the President as a leader.  The President of the United States is the official leader of our country and the ultimate leader of our military.  He is also referred to as the leader of the free world.  Those roles are true and fitting.  By his elected position, responsibilities and power that come with the position, he is a leader by title.  However, holding a position in title does not make one a great leader of people.  Regardless of your political affiliation, I think that most will agree that we have had presidents from both parties who were in fact great leaders.  Furthermore, we have had even more who were leaders in title and never mastered the art of truly leading people. 

 

Happy Presidents’ Day. Enjoy the quote below…

  

“Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for ‘tis better to be alone than in bad company.”

-       George Washington

Leaders Don’t Know Everything

 

Positions and titles can cloud the judgment of leaders.  Often when leaders reach a certain level, they think they are required to have all the answers.  It is like they believe that with the title comes the obligation to answer every question immediately and correctly themselves.  They put undue pressure upon themselves to respond with authority, even when they may not be confident of the answer.

 

Solid leaders know that quality leadership requires a decision-making process.  That process may require time and it may involve other resources.  Good decision making does not come as the result of a title or a position, but is the result of experience, wisdom, and thoughtful processing of the circumstances.  Making the ultimate decision is different from feeling like you must have an immediate answer to every circumstance.  Great leaders are always prepared to step up and make a decision.  But in doing so, they know they don’t have to respond immediately and have all the answers themselves.  They know to consult experts, conduct research, and fully consider all options.  Our responsibility as leaders is to make sound, well thought out and rational decisions, not to simply have an answer.

Presidents’ Day

 

The MMM frequently focuses on leadership and the traits that make quality leaders.  It suffices to say that many of our presidents have not possessed those qualities.  In fact, their behavior in their capacity as President, as well as in their personal lives, was often contrary to the behavior we associate with good leaders.  Certainly, we have had great leaders in the White House.  Those men likely mastered leadership before moving into 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Others have depended upon the title to gain respect, support, and followers.  Respect should come with the Office, but trust, support and a following of the people must be earned. 

The title of President does not guarantee followers, just like your title at work does not guarantee you any true followers.  Titles just give us the opportunity to earn the trust and support of potential followers.  Some of the greatest leaders I know are influencers who have no official title.  By influencers, I am not referring to the social media kind. I am referring to people who positively influence others and lead them to a common goal.

Don’t expect too much from your title.  Demand more of yourself as a leader. Happy Presidents’ Day!

Leadership

We are all leaders.  Some are formal leaders with titles, others informal leaders with influence.  We lead at home, church, in our community and at work.  We lead our children, our peers and our employees.  If you do not consider yourself a leader you are ignoring an opportunity to influence those around you.  Below are some keys of quality leadership.  Embrace these and be a great leader! 

• Hope - Great leaders give people hope for a better tomorrow.

• Consistency - When followers never know what to expect from a leader they will stop expecting anything.

• Influence - People do not respond well when pushed, forced or directed. They respond best when influenced by leaders they respect. 

• Honesty & Trust - Trust and honesty are established when words and actions match up.

• Accountability - Leaders understand that followers need to see leaders who are willing to be accountable. 

• Humility - As leaders we should be concerned with what is right, not if we are right. 

• Respect & Caring - People do not care what you know until they know that you care.  

Integrity

The MMM has on more than one occasion focused on the leadership quality of integrity.  Reputations and relationships rise and fall based on integrity or the lack of it.  I try to live a life where integrity is not only important to me, but is also clearly visible to others.  I think it is one of the greatest keys to leadership, not to mention one of the finest qualities we can pass on as parents.

In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities:
integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don't have
the first, the other two will kill you.
--Warren Buffet

Warren Buffet sums it up nicely but I would not limit it to employees.  I look for integrity in people that I develop relationships with in all aspects of my life.  So many great qualities are found where there is a solid base of integrity.