Moodling round the internet, looking for ideas for a summit a colleague and I are creating (more of that to come), I came across an article and video by Brian Tracy on the Top Qualities Of Effective Leaders. Since my PhD thesis is on Leadership and Spirituality, I’m always curious to find out what other people have to say on the subject of Leadership.
As well as being a personal development expert, Tracy is also a super salesman, so this recent article on leadership is very much geared up to selling his book. However, he does know a thing or two whereof he speaks, and he does have good ideas, so I took a few moments just to absorb what he has to say on the subject.
Change The Way You Think Of Yourself As A Leader
As Tracy points out, Leadership is essential in all walks of life. It’s easy to say ‘Oh, I’m not a leader’ but if you want real career or business success, then you’d better step up and become one! I remember going on a leadership course over 15 years ago. It was a personal development course, and I thought I wanted to be seen as a leader at work. What I discovered was that, if you’re going lead others, whether it’s in the workplace, at home, in your social life, in your helping the community life, you first have to learn how to lead yourself.
Pity I hadn’t studied with Tracy (although I’m not sure effective leadership was his thing back in 1996), because he talks about the importance of personal/self development for leaders. I love the following comment: ‘You are what you think you are. Your self-concept determines your performance. You can become a much more effective leader by changing your self-concept, by changing the way you think about yourself as a leader.’
‘Your self-concept determines your performance’. Have you noticed that in your life and career?
What ARE The Qualities Of Effective Leaders?
In the video on The Qualities Of Effective Leaders which is linked to the article – and which, presentationally, is a bit clunky, but never mind – Tracy highlights the following points which we need to take on board to become good or great leaders.
- Top leaders focus on their strengths and developing their strengths and the strengths of those around them.
- Good leaders know how to be role models in and outside work
- Integrity – people follow people they trust
- Choose your boss with care.
I particularly like the last one!
Meantime here is the link to the rest of the article on 2 Leadership Traits Needed to Become a Great Leader.
What do you think? I’d love to see your comments.
