by James G Demers

Created on: January 24, 2010

Leadership techniques usually develop from years of watching other leaders and managers and the styles that they use to garner success.  However, there is a formula for leadership success and it includes these seven elements.

1) Communication:  This may be the most important element.   Your clear and honest outline of your goals and/or the goals of the organization is key.  A good leader must provide an intellectual atmosphere conductive to the stimulation and interchange of ideas.  That leader must communicate with credibility and confidence.

2) Respect for others:  A leader must show consideration for their subordinates.  The courtesy shown will pay the leader back in many ways.

3) Unite people to follow you:  It is important to motivate the team or group to "buy in" to the ultimate goal.  The leader must spark enthusiasm.  

4)  Brace-up unhappy team members:  This can be done with honest feedback and a fair evaluation.  But, it is very important to let these unhappy members realize, that the team will proceed without them for success.

5  ) Empower people:  Your team members need to know that they can offer their feedback and it will be accepted with respect. A team member must know that the leader will endow any thoughtful input from each and every team member. 

6)  Exhibit confident positive behavior:  The leader must ALWAYS portray a positive outlook and effectively motivate subordinates to exert the effort necessary to attain organizational goals.  As with the display of confidence, the leader must also promote a comfortable and friendly atmosphere for team members to participate.  

7) Set example:  The leader must also set a positive example and make it the standard of his behavior.  With this in mind, the leader must  accept the responsibility for his/her own decisions and those of their subordinates.  Assuming the responsibility for mistakes and shortcomings for the entire team must fall on the leader.

As a leader develops a technique that best suites him/her they must also choose a leadership style.  Whatever style is used it must encourage input and participation from all team members.  Sometimes a leader will inherit a group that is very capable and experienced...that will certainly help with a selection of style. However, if the group is inexperienced, more supervisory skills will be needed to walk members through the project.  In any event, the leader should enjoy the challenge and continue to develop a spirit of teamwork.

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