Understand That Leadership Is Far More Than Issuing Orders

Do you understand the nature of leadership?

Do you lead or do you follow? Which do you prefer?

Do you like to be led by others? Let them make the decisions and you copy or fall in line or do their bidding.

What does it take to lead others? To be able to see things from their angle, to stand in their shoes. Some of the best business leaders and come up through the ranks, as have the best generals.

Know what the 'men' are going through. Having seen life from the lowly angles. Having seen what it means to get your hands dirty, you will now know what it is like to send people into life's battles - to do the tasks that you have now left far behind.

But knowing what they are feeling. And they know that you know, too. That is an important difference.

Should we ask others to do what we have not done or would be unwilling to do ourselves? We cannot have done everything but having an idea. Supporting people, being there for them. Aiding and advising them. Those are all important elements of leadership.

There should be respect but not be too friendly. A thin dividing line between being a leader and those being led.

There has to be mutual respect. They need to follow your direction but also feel free to suggest alternatives.

Need to work as a team.

With too dictatorial an approach only what the leader says will happen, and if everyone is in agreement. Sooner or later dissension will occur but the communication may not get through to the leader and uncertainty and chaos can follow.

And if there are too many leaders will there be uncertain directions, too many 'orders' and lack of cohesion.

With too lax an approach direction will be difficult and what will really get done, and who will be doing it?

Understand that there needs to be a balanced approach.

Leadership with respect. With an eye on the goal, but also on the people who will make it happen. Being aware of time scales, effort required, stresses and pressures, priorities, and the like.

And not forgetting the prize. And reward. And benefits.

Everyone needs to see and understand what is being done and to feel a valued, full 'paid' up member of the team.

Then success can be achieved.