After more than four decades of personal and professional involvement in almost everything related to leading effectively, from identifying and qualifying, to training, developing and mentoring thousands of current and/or potential leaders, as well as personally serving , several times, as a leader, I firmly believe that true leaders should never be willing to accept anything less than their best, because, good enough, does not produce, the BETTER efforts! Injustice, much of that blame/accountability stems from the fact that few organizations have engaged in professionally designed, personalized leadership training and planning programs to ensure their leaders are better prepared and, ready for prime time! With that in mind, this article will briefly try to consider, examine, review and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what this means and represents, and why it is important.
1. Faithful; face the facts; future; fruition; destiny: Groups need leaders, who are clearly true to the ideals of the organization (including its heritage, history, demographics, mission, etc.), and its stakeholders, rather than any personal/political agenda/opinions, and/or self-criticism – interest! While a positive can-do attitude is a necessary trait and behavior, it should be, without resorting to the tendency to wear rose-colored glasses! Instead, they must face – the – facts and consider various options and alternatives, with an open mind, in order to create the best path – forward, into the future! However, it is never enough for one to simply make statements, etc., rather one must make an effective strategic plan and create an action plan that will help bring the best possible scenario to fruition. True leaders feel that they must do the right thing, because they take responsibility for the fate of their organization, etc.
two. Integrity; ideals/ideology; imagination; innovate; important; impacts: We must proceed, with absolute integrity, above all, in the face of challenges, and avoid resorting to any direction, perception, less stress, etc! What one does, one must align one’s personal ideals with the ideology of the specific group, and do it with a well-developed and relevant imagination, and a willingness and ability to innovate, when necessary. He separates the important issues from the insignificant ones and carefully considers the impacts and ramifications of acting or not acting.
3. Requirements: Simply put, true leadership must be about needs, priorities, perceptions, and choosing the best options.
Four. Empathy; emphasis; efforts; Excellence; endurance: Great leaders must proceed, with genuine empathy, and put much of their emphasis accordingly! Your efforts must emphasize excellence, and you need to have the stamina and persistence to continue when so much of the rest of the pack is giving up!
5. solutions; Service; sustainable; strengths/strongest; system: We need leaders who use the strengths of the group, effectively, to make it stronger and more sustainable! It should be your responsibility to introduce workable solutions, with the intention of providing the best possible service! What one’s system is, and how well it is developed, often makes the difference between the best leadership and/or less!
6. truth/trust; prompt; time tested; trends; together: One must consistently tell the truth and be seen to do so in order to gain the trust of stakeholders! Ideas must be well considered, timely, well developed and time tested, when necessary. In addition, someone must identify, understand and properly use current trends, which may be applicable, with the intention of uniting us, for the common good!
If you want to lead, never accept anything less than yourself. BETTER efforts! Are you up to the tasks and responsibilities?
