Leadership Success: Creating Positive Outcomes Through Example and Empathy

Leadership is often seen as a formidable task, fraught with challenges and complexities. However, when you become a leader, the true measure of success lies not in how much money you make, but in the positive outcomes you bring about in your environment and the people around you.

Personal Journey of Leadership

My journey as a leader began at PwC, where I was hired as an experienced Manager in 1979 and reached the status of Partner in 1984 before retiring in 2000. One of the most interesting encounters was with a client in Winston Salem, NC, who highlighted the essence of leadership in a profound manner. The CFO of this client emphatically stated, 'we hired PwC because we trust you.' This response encapsulates the true essence of a leader.

The Key to Effective Leadership

Leadership success is subjective and varies from one individual to another. However, as detailed by the A.R.E Leadership Model, a true leader is someone who:

A leader is one who leverages their influence by using their experience to adapt and exhibit the right behaviors to influence any situation to create a positive outcome.

The crux of leadership lies in the ability to foster positive outcomes. There are various scenarios that exemplify this:

Profit Maximization: Fostering an environment that allows a company to achieve a 20 million dollar profit. Crisis Management: Leading a team through a crisis and guiding them to meet project goals ahead of schedule. Persuasion: Guiding a person away from a destructive path to a path of success and happiness. Community Building: Sharing values and thoughts to help a community improve their town.

Principles of Effective Leadership

To achieve such positive outcomes, leaders must embody the following principles:

Continual Learning and Understanding

To be a capable leader, it is essential to continually learn and understand every role within your organization. This empowers you to build a resilient and effective team.

Respect and Empathy

A leader must respect themselves and their position while also valuing everyone in their organization. Leverage this power wisely and avoid making assumptions or getting entangled in office gossip.

Clear Mission and Values

Leaders must continuously emphasize the mission and values of their organization. This ensures that everyone is aligned and moving towards a common goal.

Sobriety and Fitness

Maintaining sobriety and physical fitness is crucial for leaders. These personal habits not only enhance productivity but also set a positive example for others.

Leading by Example

Be a role model and lead by example at all times. As a leader, your actions are closely observed and can significantly influence others.

Conclusion

Leadership success is not about making money or achieving personal gain; it is about creating positive outcomes. By continually learning, respecting everyone, emphasizing the mission, and leading by example, you can inspire positive change in your organization and community.

Join the Authentic Leadership Community

For those interested in diving deeper into the principles of authentic leadership, I invite you to join my new Quora Space: Authentic Leadership. Share your thoughts and engage with a community of like-minded individuals.