Great Leaders Do 6 Things - At Work, Home, and School

Originally written in June 2013

GREAT LEADERS DO SIX THINGS — At Work, Home, and School

More than 12,000 books exist on leadership. In a lifetime we couldn’t read all of them.  So what is important?  If we want to lead and improve it, what can we do?

The strategic thinking of great leaders can be simply stated. Leaders possess these traits. In 20 years of consulting and leadership development and coaching, I can test executives or managers in any system to these six.

L = Learners. 

They are passionate and even obsessed with continually learning.  Whether it is asking hundreds of questions a day to people in every walk of life they meet or reading books  and magazines (not in their industry) and taking classes, they are a sponge for new information.  They see how all the pieces in life interacts. They ask questions and Listen.

E= Engage

Leaders engage with people and create the forum for people to engage in two-way conversations. They relish in people sharing ideas and contributing.

A = Aim

Leaders communication a Compelling purpose, a direction. They ask, “what are we trying to accomplish together?” and keep people focused.

D = Different

Leaders think different. They don’t get stuck on obstacles and barriers.  They see possibilities, opportunities, new markets and contributions for a better society. They are decisive and not afraid to take risks, fail and learn, and keep progressing. They Drive out fear and build trust around them: it is safe to discover and explore and create.

E = Environment

They create an environment where everyone is self-motivated.  Time is not wasted trying to motivate other people. The power exists when people love to contribute and have joy in their work.

R = Reflect

All great leaders reflect.  They make time to think, ponder, ask what’s working and not working, what can be so different that it can innovate our lives? Because learning takes place in reflection, leaders experience results much faster.

Assess yourself.  Do have the 6 methods to be a Great Leader?

Help! I have a bully working for me!

Sep 27, 2018

Marcia’s Q&A

Q. I’m a business owner and we have a controlling manager who has been loyal to the company for more than ten years. She has so much knowledge, but she also sabotages whatever she does not want to do. People fear her. How do I handle this?

A. You are the leader. It’s time to lead. Your job is to develop your people. While you have a bully in your company, the joy in work, productivity and greater success is being robbed. Your communication in your company needs to be that there is no tolerance for bullying, criticizing, blaming, judging. People are there to support each other toward the aim of your company and to serve customers. The bully won’t hear your message, so you will need to be direct. Commit to help her with coaching and new teaching. Be clear about your expectations. Then ask, “Are you in or are you out?” She may transform. If not, she is not a good fit. You’ll also be surprised at how the fear and stress level goes down when she leaves or transforms.

Q. Our organization’s turnover rate has been steadily increasing over the past few years, and we pay a competitive wage in our industry. What else can we do to retain our employees?

A. The retention issue has become a growing one facing many leadership teams, especially as people retire or move to find more affordable housing. Leaders are accountable to create the work environment where people find joy in learning, working and improving together. The power is in having a work environment where people are self-motivated. Create a work environment where people love to come to work, share ideas and make a difference. Ask employees what they need and what they want. Listen to them. Open up two-way communication. Get the team working toward one aim or purpose and remove the barriers that get in the way.The more you communicate and listen and show you care about them, the more trust you will build. People stay where they feel they are cared for. Begin to build trust.