Last week, I talked a little bit about chapter one of Think and Grow Rich, in how you think. Now as leaders, in my book, Knock It Out of the Park Leadership, if you’re running an organization, you need to be a leader. And if you think about it, we’re actually all leaders. If you’re a parent to a child, you are a leader. If you’re working in an organization, you are a leader. You may think you’re not. You may think you’re a follower, but somewhere along the line, you’re going to be mentoring somebody, and we all need to learn how to lead. Now, one of the chapters in Think and Grow Rich, give the major attributes of leadership on what characteristics we need to have to be great leaders. I’m going to share them with you. As you’re reading this, take an inventory of yourself so you know where you need to shine in certain areas.
The first one is Unwavering Courage. Now I’m not talking about necessarily courage on the battlefield, but courage just to make a decision to move yourself and your company forward, having the courage to go outside your comfort zone and do something you haven’t done before. Have the courage to introduce a product or a service that hasn’t been done before, that hasn’t been proven, so you can stand out as a leader. #2. Self-Control. Leaders must have self-control. You can’t be a leader of an organization and go out and berate somebody on your team in front of your team and expect to maintain respect as a leader. #3. A Keen Sense of Justice. You always have to have a keen sense of justice as a leader. Do what’s right and make sure others follow.
#4. Definite of Decision is extremely important. For those of you who are indecisive, that’s a muscle you need to work on to become very definite in your decision-making process because people are following you and they expect you to make a decision. Yes, you can mastermind, you can consult with your coach, can consult with your mentors, and go through the process. But when it’s time to make a decision, be firm, be definite. Make that decision. #5. The Habit of Doing More Than is Paid For. As a leader, you need to sometimes go out of your way to do more for others. #6. A Pleasing Personality. Of course, it’s not like the old days being a dictatorship where one would say, “This is the way it is.” “Do as I say, not as I do.” No, that simply doesn’t work. People are waiting for you to lead. Have a pleasing personality and show them how to do what they need to do by setting the example first.
#7. Sympathy and Understanding. We need to be empathetic at times. We need to have the ability to put ourselves in the other person’s shoes to look at it from their side so we make a proper decision to have the conversation, so both parties win. #8. Mastery of Details. Now as a leader, you just might be a great leader of people, but maybe you don’t do details very well. However, you can hire somebody, a confidant, somebody on your team that you can instruct the details to, and they can print out the details, have everyone follow up, and do it right. You don’t necessarily need to be that Excel spreadsheet wizard. Just be able to communicate the details masterfully so others can follow. #9. A big one is, Willingness to Assume Full Responsibility. Take ownership of everything good and bad in your organization, and in your life. And only then can you be a good leader.
Lastly, #10. Cooperation. Be in cooperation with your family, the ones you love, the people around you, and the people you lead, and things will all move forward much easier. These are the major attributes of being a great leader as outlined in the book Think & Grow Rich. Review this again. Rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10. If you need help shining up any of these areas, feel free to reach out and I will guide you through the process. I wrote the book, Knock It Out of the Park Leadership. I didn’t figure it all out overnight. That comes from 30-plus years of reading books, mastering others’ details, following other leaders, learning, practicing, and mastering the traits and characteristics of the people who really set an example, make things happen, and lead. I wrote the book as an example; if I can do it, so can you.
COACH MICHAEL DILL is an Award-Winning Certified Business Coach, global speaker, and published author. He is a proud Action Coach Franchise partner as well as the President of Power & Ice Wealth Creation a strategic leadership company that works with business owners, leaders, teams, and entrepreneurs to both develop a systematized and structured organization while accelerating their mindset, efficiencies, and effectiveness to grow both personally and professionally to achieve extraordinary results. He brings more than 40 years of business and entrepreneurial experience in his leadership, team training, and mentoring practice. Businesscoachmichaeldill.com