Leadership - Consistency

Great leaders must be consistent.  When followers never know what to expect from a leader they will stop expecting anything.  Consistency means handling similar situations with a common response.  It involves treating people fairly and being dependable.  Consistency brings stability to an organization and a situation.  Good leaders demonstrate consistency by always being there for their employees, family, volunteers and organization.  It does not mean that great leaders are not dynamic or willing to change.  In fact they must possess the ability to do those as well.  But solid and stable leadership always has some theme of consistency.  Be consistent as you lead this week.     

Leadership - Hope

Great leaders are purveyors of hope. People want a better tomorrow. They want to believe in, and be excited about, the future. Great leaders cast a vision of hope. They instill a positive outlook towards days to come. People need to be led to genuinely...

 • Hope that the team will win
 • Hope that the project will be successful
 • Hope that the tough times will get better
 • Hope that the hard work will pay off
 • Hope that the tough decisions are worthwhile

 Please don’t misunderstand; hope is not a good way to manage a business. Budgets, strategic plans, targets and forecasts are all tools that leaders use to manage a business on a day to day basis. But hope is needed to lead people. Hope is an intangible, but one that as a matter of human nature we all seek. Great leaders give people hope for a better tomorrow. Lead with hope…

Leadership

What makes a great leader?  What does it take to lead people to a common goal?  To instill confidence in a team?  To accomplish more than thought possible?

I believe there are a few keys to great leadership…

·         Hope

·         Consistency

·         Influence

·         Honesty & Trust

·         Accountability

·         Humility

·         Respect & Caring

This is not a comprehensive list but a critical one.  Leaders often combine these with other important qualities and not all leaders possess them all.  Many leaders have as many strengths as they do weaknesses.  But I believe that at least some of these qualities are present in all great leaders.  Think of the people you have respected and followed willingly.  Did they not lead with some of these characteristics?    In the coming weeks we will take a look at each of these keys to leadership.   

Listening

If you have followed the MMM for very long at all, you know the value I place on listening.  It is one of the most powerful and respectful actions that we can demonstrate as humans.  As leaders, great listening skills are even more important.  Focused listening sends an unspoken message that you value what someone is saying. The more you listen the more trust and loyalty you develop with your team.  So what happens in the absence of listening?  Consider this quote…

“Leaders who don’t listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing to say.”
           -Andy Stanley